The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has formally opened a regulatory compliance case into Sentebale, the high-profile charity co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. The move follows concerns raised over the charity’s governance and operations.
Investigation Triggered by Allegations
In a statement released on 3 April 2025, the Commission confirmed that the case was opened after concerns were brought forward by unnamed parties. These concerns have since been echoed in public comments by Dr Sophie Chandauka, current Chair of Sentebale, who has made allegations implicating Prince Harry.
While details of the specific concerns remain undisclosed, the Charity Commission has confirmed it is “engaging directly with those who raised the concerns to gather evidence” as it evaluates whether the charity’s current and former trustees, including Dr Chandauka and potentially Prince Harry, have complied with their legal duties under charity law.
What Is Sentebale?
Founded in 2006, Sentebale focuses on supporting vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana, particularly those impacted by HIV/AIDS. The charity has gained international recognition due to its royal patronage and its mission to address deeply rooted health and social challenges in southern Africa.
However, this regulatory probe places a fresh spotlight on its leadership and operational conduct.
The Charity Commission’s Role
The Charity Commission clarified that while it does not mediate personal disputes or act as a legal adjudicator, it has a statutory obligation to ensure that charities comply with UK charity law and that trustees are acting in the best interests of their beneficiaries.
“Our focus is on governance and trustee accountability. In this case, we are assessing whether the trustees—past and present—have properly fulfilled their responsibilities to ensure the charity delivers on its stated mission,” the Commission said.
The regulator formally notified Sentebale of the compliance case on 2 April 2025, following an initial review that concluded the concerns warranted further examination.
No Findings Yet
It is important to note that no findings have yet been made, and the opening of a compliance case does not imply wrongdoing. The process is part of the Charity Commission’s standard procedures when issues of potential mismanagement or misconduct arise.
Sentebale has not yet issued a formal statement in response to the Commission’s announcement. It remains to be seen whether Prince Harry or the charity’s leadership will publicly address the investigation.
As the probe continues, the charity sector—and royal watchers alike—will be closely monitoring developments, which could have wider implications for governance standards across internationally recognised charitable organisations.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Charity Commission directly via its official channels.
