Prince Harry Sued for Libel by His Former Charity Sentebale
Court records have revealed that Prince Harry is facing a libel lawsuit from Sentebale, the very charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana. The claim was filed at the High Court in London, marking a dramatic and public legal confrontation between the Duke of Sussex and the organisation he helped establish.
The Origins and Recent Breakdown of the Relationship
Prince Harry, the younger son of King Charles, founded Sentebale in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The charity was created to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in the southern African nations of Lesotho and Botswana. Its name, meaning "forget-me-not" in the local language, served as a poignant tribute to Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.
The relationship between Harry and Sentebale deteriorated significantly, culminating in his resignation as patron in March 2025. This followed a very public falling-out with the charity's board chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka. The breakdown was described by the prince as devastating, while Chandauka reported him and other trustees to the Charity Commission, alleging bullying and harassment.
Details of the Legal Claim and Wider Departures
The defamation claim was lodged last month against both Prince Harry and his close friend Mark Dyer, who also served as a trustee of Sentebale. While the specific details of what the lawsuit involves have not been disclosed in the court records, the filing represents a significant escalation of the internal dispute.
This legal action coincides with a wider exodus from the charity. Prince Seeiso and the entire board of trustees joined Harry in departing from Sentebale, leaving the organisation's leadership in a state of considerable flux. Neither Prince Harry's spokesperson nor representatives for Sentebale provided immediate comment on the lawsuit when approached.
Allegations of Bullying and the Charity Commission's Findings
The conflict became highly public in March of last year when Dr Sophie Chandauka appeared on television, accusing Prince Harry of authorising a damaging press release about stepping back from the charity without informing her or the executive director first. She characterised this act as "an example of harassment and bullying at scale," claiming it negatively impacted the 540 individuals associated with Sentebale.
"The only reason I'm here... is because at some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorised the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors, or my executive director," Chandauka stated during her interview.
However, following a review, the Charity Commission reported that it found no evidence to support the allegations of bullying. The regulator did criticise all parties involved for allowing the internal dispute to become public and identified issues of weak governance within the charity's operations.
The libel lawsuit now moves the conflict from the realm of public disagreement and regulatory review into the formal setting of the High Court, posing a new legal and reputational challenge for Prince Harry concerning an organisation deeply connected to his personal history and philanthropic legacy.
