Sentebale, meaning “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, has focused on aiding vulnerable children and youth in Lesotho and Botswana.

Prince Harry has stepped down from his role at Sentebale, the charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to honor their late mothers. They shared their reasons in an extensive statement that reflected their heavy hearts at the decision.

Harry and Seeiso penned, “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organization 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.”

The trustees, Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West, have also left their positions following a breakdown in their relationship with chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

The dispute escalated when the trustees called for Dr. Chandauka to step down, citing concerns about the charity’s governance. Instead, she filed a lawsuit against the organization, creating further turmoil.

Hence, the former trustees collectively announced their resignation. In a statement, they wrote, “We are deeply proud to have supported the visionary work of the Founding Patrons Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry, who founded Sentebale in memory of their mothers.”

They highlighted their commitment to the organization’s mission and described their departure as a heartbreaking but necessary decision. The former trustees expressed regret that tensions within the organization escalated into a lawsuit.

“We could not in good conscience allow Sentebale to undertake that legal and financial burden and have been left with no other option but to vacate our positions. This was not a choice willingly made, but rather something we felt forced into in order to look after the charity,” they explained.

Despite their difficult choice, they hoped their departure would bring stability to the organization and ensure that its vital work could continue for the benefit of staff and the communities it serves.

Harry and Seeiso expressed gratitude for the trustees’ dedication over the years and regretted that the situation forced such drastic measures.

“What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about,” they revealed.

Although Harry and Seeiso have stepped down as patrons of Sentebale, they noted that their connection to the organization remains unchanged. As its founders, they continue to recognize the charity’s potential and the impact it can have when guided by strong leadership.

However, Sentebale stated that it has not received official resignations from its royal patrons, Harry and Seeiso. The organization also announced a board restructuring on March 25, 2025, aimed at bringing in experts to support its ongoing transformation efforts.

The organization, named after the Sesotho word for “forget-me-not,” has long been dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana. Harry saw it as a way to continue Princess Diana’s legacy of advocating to help those with AIDS.

Reflecting on the charity’s nearly two decades of work, Harry and Seeiso emphasized in a statement their continued commitment to the cause and those it serves.

Dr. Chandauka has also spoken out, describing the continuing situation as a case of a woman who dared to speak out against governance failures, weak leadership, and workplace misconduct.

She emphasized her courage in exposing allegations of abuse of power, bullying, harassment, and discrimination, noting that there were efforts to cover up these issues.

“Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? Why would the High Court of England and Wales accept her application to hear the matter at all if the case had no merit?” she questioned in a statement.

Dr. Chandauka stated that her actions were driven by principles of fairness and equal treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means. However, she noted that those opposed to these values had pushed back against her efforts.

“There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct,” said Dr. Chandauka in a statement.

On her refusal to resign, Dr. Chandauka emphasized that her role at Sentebale was not a personal endeavor she could easily walk away from when challenged.

She highlighted her background as an African woman with access to a world-class education and career, stating that she refused to be intimidated. She positioned her stance as a stand for other women who lack the resources and opportunities to speak out.

“I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa,” she emphasized.

With both sides standing their ground, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain as the charity grapples with the fallout of internal conflicts and financial challenges.

A spokesperson for the Charity Commission, which oversees charities in England and Wales to ensure public trust, stated that the organization is aware of governance concerns at Sentebale. The commission is currently reviewing the matter to determine the necessary regulatory actions.