A royal expert has criticised Prince Harry’s opportunity to fix his Sentebale charity feud by claiming he was too busy “in court and going to showbiz and sporting events”. In March, The Duke of Sussex stepped down as a Sentebale patron in support of trustees who resigned in opposition to the board chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka, who previously accused Harry of bullying and harassment.
In a report published last week, the Charity Commission criticised all sides for making the fallout public with interviews and statements. Now, royal author Phil Dampier has told The Sun the situation is a “total mess”. He explained: “His charity commission report has blamed both sides, both Harry and the former trustees, and the former chairwoman, mainly for airing their dirty linen in public. While it is a valid criticism, this doesn’t solve the problem.”
He further added: “The chairwoman didn’t think that polo matches and Harry playing polo in glamorous locations was a good idea. I don’t understand why Harry couldn’t talk to her more about it and deal with it. If he spent less time in court and going to showbiz and sporting events in California, he would have had the time to deal with it.”
Harry lost his lengthy legal battle against the Home Office in May 2025, over the levels of security he and his family are entitled to while in the UK, claiming he was “devastated” to lose his appeal, after stepping down from royal duties in 2020.
The royal expert also thinks Prince Harry is “not being hands-on enough” with his Senetable. He further added: “Here’s a bit of a pattern forming with Harry – when the going gets tough, he walks away. With Megxit, with the decision to leave the Royal Family, and now with a charity which is theoretically very close to his heart.”
Prince Harry’s gap year in Lesotho in 2004 led to him setting up the charity Sentebale in 2006 in memory of his mother, the late Princess Diana. Sentebale works to support the health and well-being of young people, especially those with HIV and AIDS, in Botswana and Lesotho. It was co-founded by Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for Harry said: “The duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago.
“In what form that support takes – no decisions have been made. All options remain on the table; whether that be starting a new charity or working to support pre-existing charities operating in the same sector in the region.”
The charity regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, said it found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment at Sentebale, including misogyny or misogynoir.
The trustees who resigned said in a statement they were “gravely concerned for the future of the charity” as they felt the commission had “chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale’s chair”.
In response to the recent findings, Sentebale said: “The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the commission’s responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes. This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir etc.
“As a result, the commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry.
“The issues not investigated by the commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the commission.”