London, UK – The UK’s Charity Commission has cleared Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, of allegations of bullying amid a public fallout within Sentebale, the African youth charity he co-founded in 2006.
The regulator’s findings, released on Wednesday, follow months of investigation into a bitter leadership rift that led to the resignation of Sentebale’s board of trustees earlier this year, prompting Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to also step down.
The row began in March 2025, when chairperson Sophie Chandauka publicly accused Prince Harry of “bullying,” just days after Harry and Seeiso announced their departure, citing boardroom dysfunction. The two had reportedly urged Chandauka to resign—a call she resisted.
In its official report, the Charity Commission stated:
“We found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir, at the charity.”
However, the watchdog criticised all parties involved for allowing the internal conflict to spill into the public domain, noting that the dispute had “severely impacted the charity’s reputation.”
The report also identified governance lapses, including a “lack of clarity in delegations”, which contributed to mismanagement. The Commission has now issued a formal plan to address those administrative weaknesses.
Sentebale, which was launched in honour of Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, to support children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, said in a statement it “welcomes” the findings and is committed to strengthening governance.
Chandauka, who remains in her role as chair, responded by saying she “appreciated” the Commission’s conclusions, claiming they validate her earlier private concerns. However, she did not address the dismissal of the bullying claims.
The dispute has drawn criticism for overshadowing the charity’s mission and raising questions about leadership dynamics within high-profile philanthropic organisations.
