Defamation Lawsuit Involving Prince Harry and African Charity Emerges
A legal dispute has arisen involving Prince Harry and a charity he co-founded, Sentebale, which focuses on supporting young individuals affected by HIV in Botswana and Lesotho. The organization, established in memory of Princess Diana, has initiated legal proceedings against Prince Harry and his associate, Mark Dyer, for alleged defamation. The lawsuit was filed last month in London’s High Court, as indicated by court documents accessed recently.
Sentebale has claimed a “coordinated adverse media campaign” has been in effect since March 25, 2025, reportedly causing significant operational and reputational damage. The charity expressed its concerns in a statement on its official website, seeking intervention and restitution from the court.
Prince Harry, alongside Dyer, has denied these allegations, describing them as “offensive and damaging.” This situation marks a deviation for the Duke of Sussex, who has frequently been involved in legal actions as a claimant, particularly against British tabloids over privacy violations, including phone hacking.
The origins of Sentebale, meaning “forget me not” in the Lesotho language, trace back nearly two decades. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho established the charity to continue Princess Diana’s legacy in advocating for HIV and AIDS treatment and reducing stigma around the disease.
Internal conflicts within Sentebale reportedly began in 2023 over a proposed new fundraising approach. These disagreements led to both founders resigning as patrons in March 2025, in solidarity with trustees who had already stepped down. The relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, was deemed irreparable by the founders at the time. Chandauka subsequently accused Prince Harry of engaging in bullying and harassment to push her out of the organization.
Further tensions arose when Chandauka informed Sky News of disruptions caused by the filming of a Netflix program featuring Prince Harry, which clashed with a planned Sentebale fundraiser. Additionally, an incident involving Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, contributed to the discord.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales conducted an investigation, criticizing both parties for allowing the conflict to become public and damage the charity’s image. However, the commission did not find substantial evidence of bullying or misogyny. David Holdsworth, CEO of the commission, commented that the public dispute threatened the charity’s reputation and its mission to assist its beneficiaries.
While Prince Harry’s representative criticized the commission’s findings, Chandauka expressed approval of the report.
