In brief
The decision comes as a response to significant discord within Sentebale, with five trustees resigning, and both Harry and Prince Seeiso expressing their commitment to the charity's beneficiaries.
Prince Harry has announced his resignation as patron of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to support vulnerable communities impacted by H.I.V. in southern Africa. This decision, revealed on Wednesday, follows an internal conflict among the charity's board of trustees and its chair, Sophie Chandauka. Alongside his fellow patron, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry stated that they made this choice in solidarity with the board of trustees, five of whom recently stepped down due to a breakdown in governance.In a joint statement, the princes expressed their shock and devastation over the situation that has unfolded. The statement noted the urgency of their decision to resign in order to prioritize the needs of Sentebale's beneficiaries, while also pledging to bring their concerns to the Charity Commission to address the crisis.Established in 2006 in memory of the late Princess Diana, Sentebale has played a vital role in providing support for communities in Lesotho, which ranks among the poorest nations globally. The charity's scope expanded to include Botswana and has since focused on challenges such as substance abuse and gender-based violence affecting youth.Tensions within the organization had escalated recently as the five departing trustees expressed a loss of faith in Chandauka, leading to a public fall-out. They claimed her response to their calls for her resignation involved legal action against them, further complicating the charity's operational stability and prompting their decision to step down to avoid financial burdens on the organization.Both Harry and Seeiso remain dedicated to the charity's mission and will continue to advocate for its beneficiaries despite no longer holding their patronage roles.
