Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has taken the difficult step of resigning from Sentebale, a charity he and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho established 19 years ago. This decision comes in the wake of a controversy deemed “unimaginable.”
Sentebale was started with the aim of supporting orphans and alleviating poverty and AIDS issues in Lesotho and Botswana. With its inception in 2006, it served as a heartfelt tribute to Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso, Harry expressed feelings of surprise and deep sadness over the situation.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso’s statement revealed: “The trustees made the difficult decision to ask the chairperson to step down, prioritizing the charity’s best interests and the wellbeing of its staff. However, the chair challenged this decision legally, highlighting a significant breakdown in relationships.”
“We want to express our gratitude to all trustees for their dedication over the years, and it deeply saddens us that this has become necessary,” they added.
Prince Harry explained, “The events that have unfolded are beyond belief. Although we wish it weren’t necessary, we are committed to the wellbeing of Sentebale’s beneficiaries and will be reporting our concerns about these developments to the Charity Commission.”
They reassured supporters by stating, “Despite stepping down, we remain the charity’s founders and will always cherish what Sentebale can accomplish under the right guidance and care.”
In light of these events, the former trustees, including Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West, made a unified announcement. They declared, “As a united group of trustees from both the UK and Africa, we’ve faced the hard choice of resigning from our roles at Sentebale.”
The charity, which has touched countless lives by helping vulnerable children and communities, now stands at a crossroads. Prince Harry’s departure marks a significant shift, yet the spirit of the charity’s mission—to bring relief and hope—remains strong.
