The ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a new turn when Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chair of Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Harry in 2006, made explosive claims about the couple’s involvement in the organization.
Dr. Chandauka accused Harry of harassment and bullying on a large scale, asserting that donors pulled their support due to the prince’s controversial reputation after he stepped down from royal duties.
In an interview, she described a tense situation where Harry allegedly pressured her to release a statement in favor of Meghan, leading to chaos at a charity polo event.
However, sources close to Prince Harry have quickly denied these accusations, labeling them as a “deflection” and attributing the turmoil to the chair’s mismanagement.
They argue that the resignation of Harry and the trustees was directly linked to Dr. Chandauka’s leadership failures.
Trouble at the Charity Event
One of the major points of contention revolves around a polo match intended to raise funds for Sentebale.
According to Dr. Chandauka, Harry insisted on bringing a Netflix camera crew to the event, which caused significant disruptions and led to the loss of the original venue due to financial constraints.
She further claimed that Meghan’s unplanned appearance with tennis star Serena Williams led to awkward moments on stage, which were only made worse by Meghan’s apparent dismissal of Dr. Chandauka.
The chair had refused Harry’s request to issue a statement in support of Meghan, believing that it would complicate matters further.
Sources from within the charity dispute Dr. Chandauka’s version of events, stating that the venue issues were a result of increased costs, not due to any demands from Harry.
They also suggest that the decision to move the event to a new location was made with the help of Harry’s connections, including fellow polo player Nacho Figueras.
Claims of Financial Strain and Staff Resignations
The dispute between Dr. Chandauka and Sentebale’s board of trustees began to escalate in early 2025.
In her recent interview, Dr. Chandauka claimed that donors began pulling their support after Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties, noting that it became uncomfortable to address these issues with Harry still involved.
The allegations were followed by the resignation of five trustees, citing a breakdown in trust due to Dr. Chandauka’s leadership.
Despite the chair’s claims, sources close to the Sussexes maintain that the charity’s financial troubles were not linked to Harry’s departure from the UK, and they accuse Dr. Chandauka of using the situation to deflect attention from her own failures in managing the organization.
A History of Tensions at Sentebale
The roots of these tensions go back to 2020 when Harry and Meghan made their decision to step back from their royal duties.
This marked the beginning of a gradual shift in the dynamics at Sentebale, with Dr. Chandauka admitting that the charity faced challenges in maintaining its high-profile donors.
In 2023, when she became the chair, she began a review of the charity’s finances, which led to her suspicions that Harry’s departure had contributed to the loss of key sponsors.
While Dr. Chandauka insisted that she tried to address these issues, she claimed that it was impossible to have honest discussions with Harry in the room, given his influence.
Her accusations that Harry directly interfered with the charity’s operations, including making decisions without consulting her, have caused further friction within the organization.
The Future of Sentebale
As the situation continues to unfold, both Harry and Meghan have remained largely silent on the specific allegations.
However, the breakdown in relations between the charity’s leadership and the board could have lasting effects on Sentebale’s future.
With a strained relationship between key figures in the organization and its high-profile supporters, the charity may face a challenging road ahead.
The dispute between Dr. Chandauka and the Sussexes also raises broader questions about the role of celebrity involvement in charity work, especially when personal relationships and reputations are intertwined with organizational decisions.
As this saga continues to develop, the public remains eager to see how Harry, Meghan, and Sentebale will navigate these turbulent waters.