Prince Harry Sued for Defamation by Charity He Co-Founded
A charity established by the Duke of Sussex, Sentebale, has initiated legal proceedings against him. The organization, which focuses on aiding young people in southern Africa, alleges that an “adverse media campaign” has led to operational challenges and “reputational harm.” A representative for Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, another former trustee of the charity, denied the claims, calling them “offensive and damaging.”
The legal action, listed on 24 March as “defamation – libel and slander,” names Prince Harry alongside Mark Dyer as defendants. The charity’s current trustees stated that legal expenses are fully covered by external funding, with no use of charitable resources. They emphasized the need for the organization to concentrate on its mission rather than engaging in public disputes.
“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve,” said Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth.
Dispute Over Charity Management
Prince Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso, departed from Sentebale in March 2025 amid a contentious boardroom conflict with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. The split followed allegations of financial mismanagement and disagreements about fundraising strategies, which reportedly intensified internal tensions. Both parties exchanged accusations of misconduct, leading to an investigation by the Charity Commission.
The watchdog concluded in August 2025 that the dispute involved mutual blame and criticized the public nature of the conflict, which it claimed harmed the charity’s standing. The trustees and executive director argued that the media coverage undermined their efforts to support youth in Botswana and Lesotho, particularly those affected by HIV and AIDS.
Charity’s Founding and Contributions
Sentebale was launched in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in memory of Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity has since received additional funding, including a £1.2m donation from the profits of Harry’s memoir *Spare*. He described his exit as “devastating,” highlighting the emotional toll of the conflict.
Those outside the UK can sign up for the Royal Watch newsletter to stay updated on royal stories and analysis. The case underscores ongoing tensions between the Duke of Sussex and the charity’s leadership, as they navigate the aftermath of their separation.
