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Topics: Prince Harry, Celebrity, Royal Family, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Prince Harry, Celebrity, Royal Family, UK News
Prince Harry has announced his resignation from a charity he set up 20 years ago amid a boardroom battle within the organisation.
Back in 2006, the Duke of Sussex set up Sentebale in Lesotho, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, in honour of his later mother, Princess Diana, in order to help children and young people particularly those with HIV and Aids.
Harry, alongside Prince Seeiso who he set up the charity with, has since released a statement on the matter, noting that his stepping down as patron came after a dispute with the chairwoman of the board, Dr Sophie Chandauka, having requested her resignation.
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The dispute reportedly arose around a decision to focus fundraising in Africa, The Times reports.
The statement began: "Nearly twenty years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers."
Harry went on to explain that 'Sentebale' means 'forget-me-not' in Sesotho, which is the local language of Lesotho, and what he and Prince Seeiso says they've 'always promised for the young people we’ve served through this charity'.
"Today is no different," he continued, before announcing: "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organisation 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 father-of-two continued: "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."
He then took the opportunity to thank all the charity's trustees for their service over the years who are 'truly heartbroken they’ve had to follow through with this act'.
"What’s transpired is unthinkable," Harry urged. "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.
"Although we may no longer be Patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care."
Dr Chandauka has shared her own statement, saying she would not be intimidated, adding: "For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account."
She continued: "Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.
"My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means.
"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 also claimed she had reported trustees to the Charity Commission and that the High Court had issued an emergency injunction to prevent her removal.
She added: "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 [misogyny directed against Black women] - and the coverup that ensued.
"I could be anyone. I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me.
"I will say nothing further on this matter at this time."
A spokesperson for the Charity Commission told Sky News it is 'aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale'.
They added: "We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps."