The UK Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case into Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso. This comes after serious concerns about governance, leadership, and the future direction of the organisation.

Prince Harry and Trustees Resigned Over Governance Issues

The Commission launched its review on April 2, 2025, after receiving complaints from both current and former trustees. The case aims to determine whether the trustees, including current chair Sophie Chandauka, fulfilled their legal duties under charity law. While this is not a statutory inquiry, it could escalate if the Commission finds major problems.

This development follows the dramatic resignation of Prince Harry, Prince Seeiso, and five other trustees. In a joint statement released on March 25, they cited a complete breakdown of trust with Chandauka. They said they could no longer serve in good conscience and had reported their concerns to the Commission.

Prince Harry later issued a public statement, calling the situation “heartbreaking” and stating that the real victims were the children and young people Sentebale was created to serve. He said the former trustees welcomed the Commission’s involvement and hoped it would expose the truth behind the mass resignation.

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Sophie Chandauka Claims She Blew the Whistle

Chandauka responded by claiming she first raised concerns with the Charity Commission in February 2025. She alleges that former trustees engaged in bullying, racism, and misogyny. In addition to these accusations, she went to the High Court in an attempt to block their efforts to remove her as chair.

In a public statement released on April 3, Chandauka welcomed the Commission’s decision to proceed with the compliance case. She said she would provide the findings of an internal governance review completed by the charity in 2024. She also thanked Sentebale’s current staff and new board for their continued work and support.

Related | Watchdog Clears Prince Harry of Bullying Claims, But Sophie Chandauka Still Remains Chair at Sentebale

Consultant Payments Raise Red Flags

The controversy goes beyond personal disputes. Under Chandauka’s leadership, Sentebale paid over £427,000 to consultants between June 2023 and January 2024. Some of those consultants have personal or professional ties to her. This includes Alix Lebec, whose firm received £185,000. Other consultants reportedly worked with Chandauka at previous companies or had long-standing relationships with her.

Critics argue that these payments lacked transparency and may not have received proper board approval. Former trustee Baroness Lynda Chalker resigned in late 2024, describing Chandauka’s leadership style as “almost dictatorial.” Around the same time, new consultants reportedly began shifting Sentebale’s strategy to resemble a social enterprise model—an approach more common in for-profit ventures.

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Charity Commission Investigates Governance at Sentebale

The Charity Commission now plays a crucial role in determining what went wrong. In its official statement, the regulator said it would assess whether Sentebale’s trustees past and present complied with their legal obligations. It stressed that its role is not to mediate personal disputes but to protect the charity’s purpose and the people it serves.

Executive Director Carmel Gaillard has promised to work with the Commission and keep operations running. She said Sentebale remains committed to serving children and young people in Southern Africa.

What Happens Next

The outcome of the Commission’s review is still unclear, but what matters most is protecting the people Sentebale was created to serve. If serious failings are found, the charity could face formal action. While both sides say they are cooperating, only a thorough investigation will reveal what truly went wrong.

This review is about ensuring vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana continue receiving the care, education, and support they deserve. Their future must remain the priority.

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