Legal tensions sharpened Friday as African charity Sentebale filed a defamation case against co-founder Prince Harry.
The lawsuit, lodged at London’s High Court, accuses Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer of orchestrating a damaging media campaign.
Harry, younger son of King Charles III, firmly rejected the allegations, describing them as offensive and harmful to his reputation.
A spokesperson said it was extraordinary that charitable funds were being used against those who supported the organisation for nearly two decades.
Sentebale stated proceedings began March 24 following what it called a coordinated media campaign that disrupted operations and harmed its reputation.
The charity alleged evidence identified Harry and Dyer as central figures behind the campaign, which triggered widespread online abuse against leadership.
Founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso, Sentebale supports young people living with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana.
Harry stepped down last year after a bitter governance dispute involving chairperson Sophie Chandauka and the charity’s trustees.
The dispute escalated when trustees resigned after Chandauka refused calls to step down, deepening divisions within the organisation’s leadership.
A 2025 inquiry by the Charity Commission found mismanagement but no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment within the charity.
However, the regulator criticised all parties for allowing the conflict to unfold publicly, severely damaging Sentebale’s reputation and operational stability.
Chandauka previously accused Harry of misconduct, including bringing a Netflix crew to a fundraising event without proper planning.
She also objected to an unannounced appearance by Meghan Markle, adding further strain to already fragile relations.
The case marks a fresh chapter in the prince’s post-royal life, shadowed by disputes since leaving Britain for North America in 2020.
Named in honour of Princess Diana, Sentebale symbolises remembrance, its mission now clouded by an escalating legal storm.