Prince Harry has stepped down as the patron of a charity he founded amid the mass resignation of his co-founder and five trustees over an "unthinkable" dispute with the chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Dr Chandauka was appointed the chair of Sentebale — a charity founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho — in July 2023.
The board of trustees asked her to resign, but she refused and sued the charity, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said in a statement.
Sentebale, which was founded in 2006, aims to address health issues, wealth inequity, and climate resilience in Lesotho and Botswana.
"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 princes said in a statement.
"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."
The princes said they would be in contact with the UK government's Charity Comission to share "all our concerns … as to how this came about".
The exact details about why the board wanted her resignation are unclear.
Chair claims 'abuse of power' and 'misogynoir'
Dr Chandauka said she would continue to act as the board's chair.
"My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means," she said.
"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."
Dr Chandauka went on to say that she had reported some trustees to the UK's Charity Commission and claimed her lawsuit "had merit".
"…beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir — and the cover-up that ensued," she said.
She did not elaborate on the details of these claims.
Misogynoir is a term used to describe entrenched prejudice against women of colour.
Charity defends its 'evolution'
A Sentebale spokesperson said the charity "has not received resignations from the Royal Patrons" in an email to the ABC.
The charity is undergoing a "transformation agenda", which was announced in April 2024, the spokesperson said.
This meant the charity would undergo an "evolution" from an organisation focused on addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS on Lesotho and Botswana's youth, to one geared towards "addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa".
The charity also planned to "redeploy senior roles to be proximate to most of the team and programmes in Southern Africa".
"The recalibration of the Board is, therefore, part of Sentebale's ambitious transformation agenda," the spokesperson said.
A 'very sad day'
The two princes set up the charity in honour of their late mothers.
"It is hard to understand exactly what has transpired at this moment in time but it is a very sad day no doubt for Princes Harry and Seeiso to feel compelled to quit as patrons of the deeply personal charity they set up in their mothers' memories," royal correspondent Juilet Rieden said.
"I remember reporting on the first time Prince Harry went to Lesotho, a troubled young man looking for a mission.
"He found it there setting up this charity for Lesotho's children impacted by HIV and AIDs.
"It was something he threw his heart and soul into and has always been very proud of."
Rieden says it may be unusual for such a strongly worded statement to come from the royal family, "it is not unusual for Prince Harry".
Five trustees resign
Five former trustees — Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi, and Damian West — issued a statement alongside the prince.
"It's desperately sad the breakdown in relationship escalated to a lawsuit by the Chair against the charity to block us from voting her out after our request for her resignation was rejected," they said.
"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."
The princes said they had resigned from their roles as patrons "until further notice" in solidarity of the former trustees.
"What's transpired is unthinkable," the princes said.
"We are in shock that we have to do this."
Documents filed on the UK's Charity Commission website confirm the termination of Mr Boucher, Mr Dyer, Ms Kgosidintsi, Dr Lerotholi and Mr West from their positions.
It also shows the appointment of three new directors, Bhakti Hansoti, Margaret Ikpoh and David Rawlinson.
The charity's website has already been updated to reflect the new appointments.
