NEED TO KNOW

  • Prince Harry, Prince Seeiso, and all trustees resigned from Sentebale after a leadership collapse with chair Sophie Chandauka, who controversially appointed new trustees just before stepping down.
  • Under UK charity law, a chair cannot appoint trustees alone. Without a full board (quorum), Chandauka may have lacked the authority, raising major governance concerns.
  • Chandauka allegedly manipulated meeting minutes, a serious violation that could trigger a Charity Commission investigation or formal censure.
  • The crisis threatens public trust in Sentebale’s mission to support youth with HIV, as Chandauka faces scrutiny for consolidating power amid a governance vacuum.

Sentebale lost more than its co-founders. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down alongside the entire board of trustees. The resignations followed a leadership breakdown with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. But what happened next left supporters confused. Just one day before the public resignations, Chandauka had already appointed a new set of trustees—sparking fresh questions about whether she had the legal right to do so.

What UK Charity Law Says About Trustee Appointments

Under UK charity law, the power to appoint or remove trustees must follow the charity’s governing document. This could be a trust deed, constitution, or articles of association. In most charities, the board of trustees collectively holds the power to add or remove members—not the chair alone.

The chair’s role is usually to lead meetings and provide strategic oversight. While important, the role does not come with unilateral power—especially not in a time of crisis. If all trustees resign, the charity enters a legally fragile position. Decisions made without proper authority can be challenged.

What Happens When All Trustees Resign

When every trustee walks away from a charity, the organisation is left without a governing body. This situation is known as losing quorum. Without quorum, the charity may not have legal power to make decisions—including appointing new trustees.

In such cases, the Charity Commission can step in. The regulator may help appoint interim trustees or guide the charity through recovery. If a chair tries to act alone, it can trigger a governance investigation.

Why Sentebale’s Governance Crisis Raises Red Flags

Sentebale’s internal rules are not publicly available. Without access to its governing documents, the public has no way of knowing whether Chandauka’s trustee appointments followed proper process. But the timeline itself is suspicious.

In a controversial twist, Sentebale quietly named Iain Rawlinson—a close ally of Prince William—as a new trustee. The next day, Harry and Seeiso resigned. This move raised concerns of a strategic power shift, especially since Rawlinson worked with Prince William for years at the Tusk Trust, where William is patron.

If Chandauka made these appointments after the board had already lost confidence in her—and possibly after they resigned—it opens legal and ethical questions.

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Prince William shaking hands with Iain Rawlinson at a Tusk charity event in 2011


According to reporting by The Times, Sophie Chandauka was accused of manipulating meeting minutes—a serious breach of charity governance and ethical standards. Altering or falsifying official records not only undermines transparency, but also erodes trustee accountability and public trust. In most regulated charities, such conduct could lead to censure, removal from office, or even investigation by the Charity Commission. At minimum, it raises serious questions about whether Chandauka acted in good faith as chair.

Does The Charity Commission Need To Intervene

The Charity Commission has already confirmed it is reviewing governance concerns at Sentebale. If Chandauka appointed trustees after the board lost quorum or if she bypassed the charity’s rules, the Commission may need to step in.

They have the power to investigate, suspend trustees, or appoint new ones. They can also issue formal warnings or even restructure the charity’s governance.

Why This Matters For Public Trust

Sentebale supports children and young people living with HIV in Lesotho and Botswana. Donors, staff, and supporters expect transparency and ethical leadership. But appointing new trustees during a crisis, without public accountability or clarity, damages that trust.

Charities are not private companies. They serve the public good. When leadership acts without clear oversight—or appears to consolidate power during chaos—it puts both the mission and reputation at risk.

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Final Thoughts

Sophie Chandauka may have believed she was securing the charity’s future. But the way she acted raises serious concerns. Without a full board, she may not have had the legal right to appoint new trustees. If she went against the rules, it’s not just a governance issue—it’s a failure of accountability.

Sentebale’s founders, its past trustees, and its global supporters deserve answers. This charity was built to honor the legacy of Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato. It must not become a cautionary tale about unchecked power and poor governance.

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