Prince Harry’s charity in Africa, established to honor Princess Diana, has taken legal action against him for defamation following his resignation as a patron. Sentebale, supporting youth with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, filed a lawsuit in London’s High Court against Harry and his associate Mark Dyer for alleged libel or slander. The charity claims to have suffered operational disruptions and reputational damage due to a media campaign since March 25, 2025. Harry and Dyer have vehemently denied these allegations.
This legal move marks a rare instance of the Duke of Sussex being a defendant in the High Court. Harry co-founded Sentebale about 20 years ago with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in memory of his mother, a champion for HIV and AIDS treatment and stigma reduction. Disagreements arose within the charity in 2023 over a new fundraising approach, leading to Harry and Dyer stepping down as patrons in March 2025 amidst allegations of bullying and harassment.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales investigated the matter, criticizing both parties for damaging Sentebale’s reputation. However, no widespread bullying or misogyny was found. The charity’s publicized internal issues were deemed detrimental to its mission, as stated by the commission’s CEO, David Holdsworth, in August 2025. Harry’s spokesperson criticized the commission’s findings, while Chandauka, the board chair, welcomed the report.
Overall, the legal dispute between Prince Harry and Sentebale underscores a tumultuous chapter for the charity and its founders, with allegations of internal strife and operational challenges coming to light.