Prince Harry sued for defamation by charity Sentebale he co-founded
Prince Harry Sued by Charity He Co-Founded for Defamation
The Duke of Sussex is embroiled in a legal battle after the charity he co-founded, Sentebale, initiated a defamation claim against him. The organization, which focuses on supporting youth in southern Africa, alleges that a “negative media campaign” has disrupted its operations and damaged its public image. A representative for the charity emphasized the need for the court to intervene, asserting that coordinated attacks have undermined its mission to assist young people.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, another former trustee being sued, dismissed the accusations as “unfair and harmful.” They stated the charity should prioritize its community impact over pursuing legal action. The dispute centers on management conflicts, with Prince Harry and his co-founder Prince Seeiso resigning from Sentebale in March 2025 amid a contentious disagreement with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka.
“Sentebale’s issues became public, allowing a damaging conflict to harm its reputation, overshadow its successes, and threaten its ability to serve the people it was founded to help,” noted David Holdsworth, the Charity Commission’s chief executive.
The lawsuit, filed on March 24, 2025, names Prince Harry and Mark Dyer as defendants, accusing them of spreading false statements. Legal expenses are reportedly covered by external funding, not charitable resources. The Charity Commission, which investigated the matter in August 2025, found fault on both sides, criticizing the public nature of the conflict.
Established in 2006 to honor his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, Sentebale has been dedicated to aiding young people in Botswana and Lesotho, especially those affected by HIV and AIDS. Prince Harry contributed an additional £1.2 million to the charity from his memoir profits, describing his departure as “devastating.”
External funding sources are covering the legal costs of the case, according to the charity’s current trustees. The dispute reportedly stemmed from financial disagreements and differing views on fundraising strategies, which intensified internal tensions. Both parties exchanged accusations of misconduct, leading to a public fallout that the Charity Commission deemed detrimental to the charity’s credibility.
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