Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, has failed to file its 2024 financial accounts on time, with Companies House confirming the accounts due September 30, 2025, remain overdue. The delay highlights the ongoing crisis under chair Sophie Chandauka, who refused to resign after trustees asked her to step down. This led both Harry and Seeiso to step back as Sentebale patrons, citing the breakdown in leadership as ‘untenable.’ Sophie’s failure to stabilize the organisation has overshadowed the original vision of hope for vulnerable youth in Lesotho and placed the charity’s reputation and finances in jeopardy.

Screenshot of Sentebale’s website showing annual reports listed by year with the statement “We operate in an accountable and transparent manner.”
Sentebale’s website claims “accountability and transparency,” yet since Sophie Chandauka became chairwoman, the charity has failed to upload its reports on time.

The filing gap is not a small matter of paperwork. Under UK charity law, failure to submit accounts on time carries escalating consequences. Companies House imposes civil fines on charities that are also registered companies. More seriously, repeated delays give the Charity Commission grounds to open a statutory inquiry into potential mismanagement or misconduct. Late filings also appear on the public record, eroding confidence among donors and partners.

Screenshot from Companies House showing Sentebale’s accounts overdue as of September 30, 2025, with the last accounts filed on August 31, 2023, and confirmation statement due April 9, 2026.
Sentebale’s overdue accounts point to leadership failings and undermine public trust.

If the charity continues to miss deadlines, the consequences could intensify. The Commission can take regulatory action, including removing a charity from the register altogether. Authorities consider failure to file annual reports a criminal offence at its most serious. For a high-profile organisation like Sentebale, founded to support vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana, the reputational damage is already significant.

Final Thoughts

The overdue accounts add to a pattern of instability. Earlier this year, reports revealed funding shortfalls and staff cuts. Chair Sophie Chandauka has faced criticism for her leadership, with speculation that her tenure coincided with waning donor confidence. For an organisation once held up as a symbol of royal-backed philanthropy, the missed deadline underscores questions about its governance and transparency.

As of today, neither Companies House nor the Charity Commission lists the 2024 accounts as filed. With scrutiny mounting, Sentebale risks fines, investigations, and further erosion of public trust if it does not meet its legal obligations swiftly.

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