Overview

In an unexpected turn of events, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the chairwoman of Sentebale—an organization co-founded by Prince Harry—has branded the royal's brand as "toxic". This shocking declaration comes shortly after Prince Harry and a number of other key figures announced their resignation from the charity, which was established in 2006 to honor the late Princess Diana’s legacy by supporting those in southern Africa impacted by HIV and AIDS.

Growing Tensions

In an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Chandauka revealed that she sensed growing tensions with Prince Harry as far back as a year ago. She did not hold back while discussing how his recent actions and the manner of his departure could be construed as a form of "harassment and bullying at scale.”

Resignation Motivations

Sources close to the former trustees and patrons expressed that the resignations were based on a desire to protect the charity, anticipating the fallout would be treated as a mere publicity stunt. They added that they look forward to revealing the truth surrounding the split.

Impact of Prince Harry's Brand

Prince Harry, alongside co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, indicated that they parted ways due to irreparable breakdowns in relations between the charity's trustees and Dr. Chandauka. However, the chairwoman pointed out that the "number-one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron’s brand," suggesting that the public controversies surrounding Prince Harry since his relocation to the U.S. have had tangible effects on Sentebale’s operations.

Challenges in Recruitment

Dr. Chandauka described how potential donors and job candidates have raised concerns regarding the mixed signals they receive from the charity due to Prince Harry's controversial reputation. “When you start to interview people, they're asking questions about, well, these mixed messages around the patron,” she stated, indicating how this has hampered efforts to diversify the charity’s funding base.

Requests for Defense

Tensions escalated further when Dr. Chandauka revealed that Prince Harry’s team had requested her to publicly defend Meghan Markle against negative media coverage. She firmly rejected this proposal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the organization's independence and integrity. “We’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine,” she asserted.

Feeling Blindside

In her conversation with Sky News, Dr. Chandauka criticized Prince Harry's decision to authorize damaging news without consulting her or the charity's executive team, leaving her feeling blindsided. “Can you imagine what that attack has done for me, for the 540 individuals in the Sentebale network and their families?” she questioned, reinforcing her stance that this could be viewed as a systematic form of harassment.

Looking Forward

As the dust settles on this controversial departure, it begs the question: What’s next for Sentebale? Amidst internal strife and external scrutiny, Dr. Chandauka remains resolute, stating, "The team is resolved that Sentebale will live on, with or without you." With the spotlight now on the organization’s future, many are left wondering if Prince Harry's once-cherished association has indeed become a liability. Will the charity be able to restore its reputation and continue its vital mission? Only time will tell.