Prince Harry is facing a defamation lawsuit from Sentebale, the organization he helped establish nearly two decades ago, over claims of a coordinated media campaign that allegedly damaged its reputation.
The surprising case comes after a highly publicized internal dispute that led to resignations and regulatory scrutiny.
The fallout has deepened tensions within the charity and left Prince Harry reportedly distressed, as questions continue to swirl around its leadership and governance.
Prince Harry is facing a defamation lawsuit brought by Sentebale, the charity he helped establish nearly two decades ago. Court filings at the High Court of England and Wales list both the duke and former trustee Mark Dyer as defendants in the case.
According to a statement released by the charity’s leadership, the legal action stems from what it describes as a “coordinated adverse media campaign” that allegedly harmed its reputation and disrupted operations.
Sentebale claims the campaign, which it says began in March 2025, spread misleading narratives about the organization, strained relationships with staff and partners, and triggered waves of online abuse directed at its leadership.
The charity says the situation forced it to divert significant “time and resources into managing a reputational crisis not of the charity’s making.” While the claim was filed on March 24, detailed court documents have not yet been made public.
Prince Harry Stepped Down As A Patron In 2025 Alongside The Co-Founder, Prince Seeiso
The dispute comes after a turbulent period within the African charity organization.
Both Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons in March 2025, citing a breakdown in relations between trustees and the chair of the board, Sophie Chandauka.
Their resignation followed a wider fallout that saw several trustees also leave their roles.
In a joint statement at the time, the two founders said they stepped aside “with heavy hearts,” describing the situation as irreparable and deeply damaging to the charity’s governance.
The UK Charity Commission Conducted An Investigation Into The Organization
The controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s charity drew the attention of the UK Charity Commission, which led to an investigation into the organization.
Its findings criticized all parties for allowing internal disagreements to escalate publicly, calling it a “missed opportunity” to resolve issues privately and warning that the situation risked undermining trust in the wider charity sector.
However, the regulator said it found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, though it acknowledged that some individuals felt they had been treated unfairly.
The Charity’s Chair Sophie Chandauka Levels Allegations Against Prince Harry
Sentebale, which operates in Botswana and Lesotho, focuses on supporting young people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Tensions were further heightened by public comments from Sophie Chandauka, who alleged in media interviews that scheduling conflicts linked to Harry’s commercial commitments, including his Netflix deal, disrupted a planned fundraiser. She also suggested that an incident involving Meghan Markle contributed to friction within the organization.
Chandauka has previously claimed she reported concerns about governance to regulators and filed legal action to challenge her removal, alleging misconduct within the charity without naming individuals. She described Harry’s resignation as unexpected and characterized it as “an example of harassment and bullying at scale.”
A source later indicated that the situation had taken a personal toll on Harry, who was said to be deeply affected after nearly 20 years of involvement with the charity, originally founded in honor of his mother, Princess Diana.
Prince Harry Was Reportedly Crushed By The Alleged Sentebale Takeover Crisis
Meanwhile, the situation is said to have taken a personal toll on Harry. He has reportedly been deeply affected by what he views as a “hostile takeover” of the charity he helped build.
According to Rebecca English, the duke has been “utterly devastated,” spending long hours on calls from California speaking with supporters and allies.
Sources cited in reports last year claimed that Harry and those close to him believe Chandauka “cajoled her way” into a position of influence and has resisted stepping down despite criticism of her leadership.
The fallout has reportedly created a deep divide, with one insider suggesting there is little chance of Harry working with the organization again under its current structure.
Despite the turmoil, a spokesperson for Harry told Page Six that while the duke does not recognize the origin of some of the claims, it is fair to say he is “deeply upset” by the situation.
The statement emphasized that he remains committed to the mission that inspired the charity nearly 19 years ago, supporting young people in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV/AIDS and mental health challenges.