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 facing a defamation lawsuit from the charity he co-established, Sentebale, which focuses on aiding youth in southern Africa. According to a representative for the organization, the legal action is driven by an alleged “adverse media campaign” that has reportedly disrupted operations and damaged the charity’s reputation. A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, a former trustee also named in the case, denied the claims, calling them “offensive and damaging.”
Dispute and Legal Action
The case, filed in March, is listed as “defamation – libel and slander,” with Prince Harry and Mark Dyer serving as defendants. The charity’s trustees and executive director stated the lawsuit aims to secure the court’s “intervention, protection, and restitution” against coordinated media attacks they say have weakened the organization’s efforts to support young people. Legal expenses are reportedly covered entirely by external funding, not using any charitable resources.
“The charity should be prioritizing its work with the communities it serves rather than engaging in legal battles,” said the spokesperson for Harry and Dyer.
Background of the Conflict
Prince Harry and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso, departed Sentebale in March 2025 amid a contentious boardroom disagreement with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. The split followed reports of financial disputes and differing views on fundraising strategies, which intensified internal tensions. Both parties exchanged accusations of misconduct, prompting an investigation by the Charity Commission.
The watchdog concluded in August 2025 that the conflict involved mutual blame and criticized the public nature of the dispute, which it claimed harmed the charity’s standing. “Sentebale’s issues became public, allowing a damaging conflict to overshadow its successes and threaten its mission,” noted Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth.
Founding and Legacy of Sentebale
Sentebale was established in 2006 by Prince Harry in tribute to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, to support young people in Botswana and Lesotho, especially those affected by HIV and AIDS. Harry contributed an additional £1.2 million to the charity from his memoir Spare profits, describing his exit as “devastating.”
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