Sentebale, the HIV/AIDS awareness charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has drastically downsized its London office, leaving just one full-time employee.
The move comes amid ongoing questions about funding and the fallout from a high-profile internal dispute earlier this year.
Redundancies Hit London Office Hard
Out of the five employees at Sentebale’s London headquarters, four have now been made redundant.
Among those let go were the global head of finance and compliance. A spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail that the UK office now operates with just a single full-time staff member.
Overall, the charity expects seven departures across its three locations between April and September.
Funding Concerns and Retrenchment
A redundancy letter sent in April, seen by The Times, explained that donor funding was not available, and the charity was in a period of “retrenchment.”
Sentebale has faced mounting financial uncertainty, partly due to loyal donors withdrawing support following the public dispute between Prince Harry and the charity’s chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka.
Origins and Mission of Sentebale
Sentebale was founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support disadvantaged young people in Lesotho and Botswana. The charity was inspired by the late mothers of both princes and has long focused on HIV/AIDS education and support programs.
Fallout from Boardroom Dispute
Earlier this year, tensions flared between Prince Harry and Dr Chandauka, culminating in a damning Charity Commission report.
While the commission found no evidence of widespread bullying, misogyny, or misogynoir, it did criticize the trustees for mismanagement and highlighted a strong perception of ill treatment among both parties.
Following the public dispute, Harry and other trustees resigned en masse in March.
Donor Withdrawal and Media Impact
The row reportedly caused a significant loss of donor support, with hundreds of thousands of pounds in contributions disappearing.
A Sentebale spokesperson described the negative impact of an “adverse media campaign” launched by the Duke and former trustees, noting that it made fundraising extremely challenging and left the charity reliant on reserves.
Planned Restructuring vs. Crisis
Despite media speculation, the spokesperson emphasized that the staff reductions were part of a planned, strategic restructuring rather than a sudden funding crisis.
The board decided to “right-size” its workforce across all locations to improve efficiency, transition senior executive roles to Southern Africa, and adapt to changing service delivery demands.
Polo Cup Hiatus and Fundraising Challenges
The Sentebale Polo Cup, historically a major fundraiser generating around £740,000 annually, has not been held in the past two years.
The spokesperson noted that uncertainties around international donor funding, including contributions from USAID, and events like the polo cup influenced the decision to restructure.
Moving Forward
Sentebale’s restructuring marks a significant shift for the charity, especially as it navigates both internal changes and external perceptions.
While the UK office has been dramatically reduced, the charity remains focused on its mission in Southern Africa, hoping to maintain its programs and support for vulnerable youth.