Prince Harry’s involvement with his longtime charity, Sentebale, has taken a dramatic turn, with explosive allegations surfacing about the Duke’s actions behind the scenes.
At the heart of the controversy? A Netflix crew, a canceled polo event, and a bitter leadership fallout that’s left the charity in turmoil.
The Netflix Dilemma That Cost Sentebale a Venue
Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chair of Sentebale, claims Prince Harry’s insistence on bringing a Netflix camera crew to a Miami charity polo event led to the loss of the venue.
Speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips, she revealed that about a month before the event, Harry requested permission to include footage for his documentary. However, this created complications.
“You can’t just bring a film crew without getting consent from the venue owners, sponsors, and guests,” she explained.
When the venue found out, they classified the event as a commercial undertaking and imposed fees Sentebale couldn’t afford, forcing them to find a new location at the last minute.
Meghan’s Surprise Appearance and Stage Chaos
Despite securing another venue, things didn’t go smoothly.
According to Dr. Chandauka, Meghan Markle’s unexpected appearance led to confusion on stage.
“We would have been really excited if we had known ahead of time, but we didn’t,” she said.
The unplanned presence of multiple people on stage resulted in awkward choreography, drawing international media attention.
Adding to the tension, Prince Harry allegedly asked Dr. Chandauka to issue a public statement in support of Meghan. She refused.
“Not because I didn’t care about the Duchess, but because we cannot be an extension of the Sussexes,” she stated.
The Rift Between Harry and Sentebale’s Leadership
The situation escalated further when Prince Harry decided to step down from Sentebale in what he described as an act of “solidarity” with the trustees who resigned amid tensions with Dr. Chandauka.
However, she has taken a firm stand, saying, “Sentebale will live on, with or without you.”
In an interview with the Financial Times, she claimed the biggest issue facing the charity was “the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand.”
She believes the controversy surrounding Prince Harry has negatively impacted Sentebale’s ability to secure funding and attract top-tier talent.
Allegations of Bullying and Governance Disputes
The conflict took another turn when Dr. Chandauka accused Prince Harry of “harassment and bullying at scale,” claiming he used his media influence to pressure her.
She alleged that Harry’s team released damaging statements without consulting her, unleashing “the Sussex machine” against her and Sentebale’s 540 employees.
Meanwhile, sources close to Prince Harry and the charity’s former trustees strongly denied these claims, calling them “completely baseless.”
They argue that the dispute was about governance and leadership issues rather than personal conflicts.
Legal Battles and a Leadership Standoff
Dr. Chandauka reportedly resisted efforts to remove her from the charity’s leadership.
After the board of trustees requested her resignation, she challenged the move in court.
While there is no official record of an injunction being granted, the charity’s board meeting was ultimately canceled, leaving the situation unresolved.
She insists her leadership has been about modernizing the charity, stating, “The way the organization was set up in 2006 is no longer appropriate in a post-Black Lives Matter world.”
She claims her reforms led to friction between the UK-based leadership and the African staff, describing the resistance as a fear that “the Africans are taking over.”
What’s Next for Sentebale?
With Prince Harry stepping back and the leadership conflict unresolved, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain.
The UK’s Charity Commission has confirmed it is reviewing governance concerns, and more revelations could emerge as the investigation unfolds.
For now, Dr. Chandauka is standing her ground, stating, “I will not be intimidated.
I must stand for something.” Meanwhile, Prince Harry has remained silent on the allegations, though sources close to him suggest he is deeply affected by the controversy.