A new controversy has engulfed Prince Harry, this time linked to the activities of the charity he founded in homage to his mother Diana's social commitment : the president of the charity Sentebale, Sophie Chandauka, has accused him of "large-scale harassment and bullying" after he and several other members left the organization earlier this week. According to Chandauka, the Duke of Sussex is responsible for a campaign against the president for which he "unleashed the Sussexes' PR machine".
Speaking on Sky’s Trevor Phillip show, the chairwoman said: “The only reason I’m here… is because at some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorised the release of damaging news to the outside world without informing me, the country directors or the chief executive.” She added that this act – his resignation – had a devastating impact on her and the 540 people who work at Sentebale. Sky News contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment, but they declined to issue a statement. Chandauka also made other allegations, saying the charity lost sponsors and donors when the Sussexes left the UK, but she “couldn’t talk about that”.
Calling Harry the “number one risk” to the organisation, the chairwoman also claimed the prince appointed board members without consulting her, and also tried to “push her out” of Sentebale. But a source close to the charity’s former board members called Chandauka’s allegations “completely unfounded,” denying any bullying or smear campaign orchestrated by Harry.
On Tuesday, the prince announced his resignation as patron of the charity, which he founded in 2006 in honor of his mother, Princess Diana, to help young people in Africa affected by HIV and AIDS. In a statement, released with the charity's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry said he was forced to step down "in support and solidarity" with the board of trustees, which also resigned due to differences with the chairwoman. Chandauka responded by saying that some people "act as if they are above the law, mistreat others and then make themselves look like victims." The affair also prompted an investigation by Britain's Charity Commission.
(Online Union)