Prince Harry sued for defamation by charity Sentebale he co-founded
Prince Harry Sued for Defamation by Charity He Co-Founded
Legal Action Over Alleged Media Campaign
A charity established by the Duke of Sussex has initiated a lawsuit against him, alleging defamation. The organization, Sentebale, focuses on aiding youth in southern Africa, has accused Harry of contributing to a “negative media campaign” that has disrupted its operations and damaged its standing. A representative from the charity stated that the legal claim aims to secure the court’s “intervention, protection, and restitution” against what they describe as coordinated media attacks.
“They firmly deny these harmful and misleading allegations,” said a spokesperson for Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, another defendant in the case.
The lawsuit, filed on 24 March, is listed as “defamation – libel and slander,” with Harry and Dyer named as defendants. Current trustees of the charity clarified that legal expenses are fully covered by external funding, not from the charity’s own resources. They argue the dispute over management led to Harry’s departure last year, sparking tensions with the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka.
Background of the Charity and the Dispute
Sentebale was launched in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to honor their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and support young people in Botswana and Lesotho, especially those affected by HIV and Aids. Harry contributed an additional £1.2m from his memoir Spare to the cause, describing his exit as “devastating.” The charity’s former trustees, including Dyer, were involved in a bitter conflict with the chair, which reportedly intensified due to disagreements over finances and fundraising strategies.
“Sentebale’s challenges were exposed publicly, allowing a damaging conflict to erode its reputation and risk overshadowing its accomplishments,” noted David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission, following its August 2025 review of the situation.
The Charity Commission concluded that all parties involved faced criticism for their roles in the public disagreement, which jeopardized the organization’s ability to serve its intended beneficiaries. Meanwhile, Harry’s team emphasized that the charity should prioritize its community work, rather than engaging in legal proceedings.
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