'I know Harry - there's one aspect of nasty charity row that will hurt most' (2025)

Prince Harry has sensationally quit as patron of Sentebale, the charity he founded in southern Africa in memory of his late mother amid an extraordinary row at the organisation - and one royal expert has revealed what will be particularly stinging for the Duke

Prince Harry will be hurt most by one unsavoury aspect of the 'vitriolic' row which has engulfed his charity, an expert warned. The Duke of Sussex is said to be "torn apart" after taking the shock decision to quit as patron of Sentebale, the charity he helped to set up almost 20 years ago in honour of his late mother Princess Diana to help children affected by HIV/AIDs.

His leaked resignation along with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the charity's other joint founder, came just amid a boardroom battle and just hours before its chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka appeared to criticise Harry for "playing the victim card". She issued her own blistering statement alleging there had been "poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir". The claims have been strongly denied.

The charity also posted a loaded statement on social media playing down the role of its founders and trustees, while praising "people in the field who are advancing the work". And according to royal expert Jennie Bond, the situation will be particularly sad for Harry.

The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror: "Sentebale carries so many emotional ties for Harry. It was very much his baby, set up in memory of his mother: his way of honouring one of her most successful missions — to remove the stigma of AIDS and help families affected by it. It was a lifeline for Harry at a time when he was still in turmoil after Diana’s death. It gave him a new purpose.

"So I'm sure he is, indeed, devastated by the sudden unravelling of the charity he vowed to make a lifelong commitment. That dedication, he once said, would never falter. But it's the bitterness of the row that must hurt most."

As well as Harry and Seeiso, several trustees of Sentebale have also resigned after a dispute with Dr Chandauka. The dispute is believed to have arisen due to a decision to focus fundraising in Africa. Harry and Seeiso said in a joint statement that they were resigning with heavy hearts "until further notice". And Jennie believes this could indicate what he plans to do next.

She added: "I don't think Harry is ready yet to turn his back on Sentebale forever. The statement he issued was very carefully worded and said that he and Prince Seeiso had resigned "until further notice". And that's quite an odd way to resign. It certainly leaves the door open for a return by both Princes one day, if this vitriolic row can be resolved."

Harry's role at Sentebale was one of a small number of private patronages he retained after he was stripped of his royal patronages and honorary military positions by the late Queen in 2021. The Charity Commission said it is "aware of concerns about the governance" of Sentebale. "We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps," the commission said in a statement.