Prince Harry has been cleared of bullying allegations by the UK’s charity regulator, bringing to a close a bitter leadership dispute within Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.
The Charity Commission released its findings on Wednesday after months of investigations, stating there was “no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment,” dismissing claims that also included misogyny and racial bias.
However, while Prince Harry was exonerated, the Commission sharply criticised those involved for allowing the conflict to escalate publicly, describing it as a “damaging internal dispute” that left lasting harm on the charity’s image.
It highlighted lapses in leadership and governance, noting the lack of proper delegation of responsibilities, which it said amounted to mismanagement.
The regulator has now directed Sentebale to adopt a formal action plan aimed at strengthening its governance and leadership systems to avoid similar failures in the future.
The dispute became public after board chairperson Sophie Chandauka, in early 2025, accused Prince Harry of bullying following pressure from trustees who had demanded her resignation, a move she resisted.
The fallout led to a mass resignation of trustees, followed by the exit of both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from their founding roles in April.
Sentebale, which supports children and adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, was launched in memory of Princess Diana. Its name, Sentebale, means “forget me not” in Sesotho, paying tribute to her legacy.
In response to the Commission’s report, the charity said it welcomed the findings and acknowledged the need to improve its governance.
Chandauka also issued a statement saying she appreciated the Commission's recognition of the concerns she had raised privately earlier in the year. However, she did not comment on the dismissal of the bullying claims.
Prince Harry, who had spoken out earlier in the year, described the situation as deeply painful. “It was heartbreaking to witness such blatant lies being spread against people who have been devoted to the mission of Sentebale,” he said.
The Commission’s chief executive, David Holdsworth, urged everyone involved to move forward and focus on the children who depend on Sentebale’s services.
He called on the charity’s leadership to prevent any future internal rows from distracting from its core mission.