Prince Harry co-founded Sentebale in 2006 but has now stepped down following a controversy that emerged.
Image: Bang Showbiz
Prince Harry has stepped down from a charity he founded 19 years ago after an “unthinkable” controversy.
The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho co-founded Sentebale, which helps African orphans and tackles poverty and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, in 2006.
It was founded in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana. But several trustees demanded that Dr Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of the board, resign over a dispute about whether the charity should focus fundraising in Africa.
In response, Dr Chandauka sued the charity in a bid to remain in post – forcing those trustees to quit themselves in protest.
The dispute arose around a decision to focus fundraising in Africa. In a joint statement both princes said; "Nearly 20 years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers. Sentebale means 'forget-me-not' in Sesotho, the local language of Lesotho, and it's what we've always promised for the young people we've served through this charity.
"Today is no different. With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation."
Tensions allegedly arose over the chair of the charity's board of trustees, and a decision to focus fundraising largely in Africa.
Dr Chandauka, a lawyer from Zimbabwe who was appointed chair last year, has reportedly refused to step down. It is alleged that she is suing the trustees after they challenged whether she was best placed for the role.
This resulted in the charity's trustees to resign, according to reports. They include Mark Dyer, a lifelong friend of Prince Harry and a former equerry to the King.
The statement from Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso added; "These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship. We thank all the trustees for their service over the years and are truly heartbroken they've had to follow through with this act.”
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