Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex has faced a defamation lawsuit from a charity he founded, as Sentebale takes legal action against Prince Harry in a dispute that marks a significant escalation of internal tensions within the organization.

The case, which also names former trustee Mark Dyer as a co-defendant, centres on allegations of an adverse media campaign said to have caused disruption and reputational harm to the charity and its leadership.

The legal filing, dated 24 March, is listed under “defamation libel and slander”, emphasizing the seriousness of the accusations and highlighting the deepening rift between the charity’s current leadership and its former senior figures.

Established to support vulnerable young people in southern Africa, Sentebale now finds itself navigating a highly public legal battle that risks overshadowing its humanitarian mission. Prince Harry co-founded the charity in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso, in honour of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

The organization focuses on supporting young people in Botswana and Lesotho, particularly those living with HIV and Aids, and has built a strong reputation for its work over nearly two decades.

A spokesman for Prince Harry and another former trustee of the charity, Mark Dyer, who is also being sued, said “they categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.”

This dispute traces back to internal disagreements that culminated in Prince Harry’s departure from the charity in March 2025, when he and fellow founder Prince Seeiso stepped down alongside a group of trustees following a bitter boardroom conflict with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka.

Reports at the time suggested that tensions were exacerbated by financial challenges and disagreements over fundraising strategy, further deepening divisions within the organisation.

As the situation escalated, both sides traded accusations regarding conduct and governance, prompting an investigation by the Charity Commission. The watchdog later concluded in August 2025 that responsibility lay across all parties involved, criticising the highly public nature of the dispute and its impact on the charity.

“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve.”
Charity Commission Chief Executive

A statement on behalf of the charity’s trustees and executive director indicated that the case seeks the court’s “intervention, protection, and restitution” against what it claims are co-ordinated media attacks, which it says undermine the charity and its efforts to help young people.

The charity has sought to reassure stakeholders that the legal proceedings will not affect its operations, stating that legal costs are being met “entirely by external funding and no charitable funds have been used,” according to its current trustees.

Moreover, a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Mark Dyer has explained that the charity should be focusing its efforts on the communities supported by Sentebale, rather than pursuing legal actions.

Despite the breakdown in relations, Prince Harry has continued to support the organization financially, including an additional £1.2 million donation from the proceeds of his memoir.

Sentebale’s Mission Remains Central Amid Ongoing Dispute

The role of Sentebale as a humanitarian organisation continues to be defined by its founding purpose, with its work focused on supporting some of the most vulnerable children and young people across southern Africa, particularly in Lesotho and Botswana.

Since its inception, the organization has been guided by an approach that prioritises solutions shaped by the lived experiences of children, their caregivers, and the young people it serves. This model has been designed to address both long-standing structural challenges and immediate individual needs, ensuring that interventions are responsive, practical, and grounded in the realities of the communities involved.

Over time, Sentebale’s work has also been strengthened by its ability to draw on a broad network of global supporters, whose engagement has helped expand the reach and effectiveness of its programmes. This convening capacity has allowed the organization to bridge local insight with international resources, enabling it to deliver impact at a scale that would be difficult to achieve through local efforts alone.

By combining community-driven programme design with international advocacy and support, the organization has sought to maintain a balance between targeted grassroots intervention and wider systemic influence. This dual approach has been central to its identity, reinforcing its commitment to long-term change while also responding to urgent needs as they arise within the communities it serves.