In recent developments surrounding Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, the prince remains silent about the accusations swirling around him and his decision to resign as patron.
However, a close friend of Harry has shared insights into how the royal is coping with the situation.
Alex Rayner, an old friend of the prince from their Eton days and someone who has kept in touch with Harry over the weekend, revealed that the prince is in a state of shock and deep emotional distress.
Rayner described Harry as “heartbroken” over the events and emphasized that Harry feels like “one of his fingers has been cut off.”
A Personal Betrayal for Prince Harry
Rayner, who accompanied Harry on a trip to the North Pole in 2012, told reporters that Harry feels deeply wounded by the allegations against him.
He revealed that Harry is in complete shock over the situation, especially since Sentebale, a charity Harry co-founded as a teenager in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, has been embroiled in a public feud with its chairwoman.
Rayner emphasized that for Harry, this feels like a personal betrayal, with his life’s work being taken over in a way that he likens to a “hostile takeover.”
The Role of Dr. Sophie Chandauka in the Scandal
At the heart of the controversy is Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of Sentebale, who took over the role in July 2023.
She has clashed with Prince Harry and the charity’s trustees over various issues, including the handling of donations and governance.
Dr. Chandauka has accused Harry and the charity’s board of mistreatment and “toxic” behavior, alleging that her departure was demanded due to her efforts to expose poor governance practices and allegations of abuse within the organization.
Meghan’s Role and the Tension with Dr. Chandauka
The dispute has taken on an additional layer of tension, particularly due to the involvement of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
According to Rayner, Dr. Chandauka may have felt slighted during a public event last year when Meghan appeared to push her aside at a polo match in Miami.
Rayner suggested that Dr. Chandauka may have been upset by Meghan’s presence and that there could be an underlying jealousy or resentment toward the duchess.
Meghan’s role in this drama has added to the public spectacle, with some speculating that the tension between Dr. Chandauka and Meghan contributed to the rift at Sentebale.
A Charity in Crisis and a Broken Relationship
The fallout between Prince Harry and Dr. Chandauka escalated when she refused to step down from her role, despite growing tensions within the charity.
The breakdown in relations led to the resignation of all five trustees, including Prince Harry himself, who co-founded the charity in honor of the people of Lesotho.
Dr. Chandauka, however, has not backed down from her position.
In her defense, she claimed that the drop in donations was not due to her leadership but was instead caused by the “toxicity” surrounding Harry’s royal background.
Controversial Decisions and the Charity’s Future
One key issue highlighted in the dispute revolves around the decision to film Harry’s charity polo match for his Netflix documentary.
Dr. Chandauka has claimed that the inclusion of a Netflix crew at the event caused a loss of the venue for the charity match.
Rayner, however, argued that such exposure would have benefited the charity by drawing more attention to Sentebale.
He dismissed Dr. Chandauka’s claims as a poor excuse for a failure in the charity’s administration, pointing out that the presence of a Netflix crew could have been seen as a significant opportunity to promote the charity.
Dr. Chandauka’s Defense and Allegations Against Prince Harry
Despite the ongoing disputes, Dr. Chandauka has remained steadfast in defending her leadership of Sentebale.
In a recent interview, she suggested that the charity’s troubles were tied to the negative publicity surrounding Prince Harry and his royal connections.
She claimed that her efforts to address governance issues were met with resistance, and that her decision to speak out against bullying and harassment within the organization was met with hostility.
Prince Harry’s Deep Regret Over Sentebale’s Struggles
For Prince Harry, the downfall of Sentebale has been a devastating personal blow.
The charity, which he started with his close friend Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, was meant to provide support for children affected by HIV and AIDS in southern Africa.
As the organization faces its worst crisis, Harry is left grappling with the reality that the project he once considered a life’s calling has been tainted by internal conflict and public controversy.
This scandal was not part of Harry’s vision for Sentebale’s future, and the emotional toll it has taken on him is evident.
Looking Ahead for Sentebale and Prince Harry
As the saga continues to unfold, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain.
The resignation of Prince Harry and the charity’s board has raised questions about the organization’s direction and whether it can recover from this turmoil.
For Harry, the emotional cost of the scandal is clear, and he is left to reflect on the painful situation while grappling with the possibility of losing control over the charity he worked so hard to build.
The next chapter for Sentebale and its royal co-founder is still unfolding, and only time will tell what happens next.