Prince Harry is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded, marking a major escalation in a long-running dispute within the organisation.
Court papers have been lodged at London’s High Court naming the Duke of Sussex and former trustee Mark Dyer as defendants in the case. The charity alleges that both were involved in a “coordinated adverse media campaign” that caused reputational harm and operational disruption.
Sentebale, which works with children and young people in southern Africa, was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Both stepped down as patrons in March 2025 amid internal disagreements that also led to the resignation of several trustees.
The charity claims the alleged media campaign led to false narratives being circulated, damaged relationships with partners and staff, and triggered a wave of online harassment targeting its leadership.
It further stated that the legal action was necessary to protect the organisation’s operations and that no charitable funds are being used to cover legal costs.
The dispute follows months of public tensions between former trustees and the current chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, who was appointed in 2023. The disagreement became increasingly public after Harry’s resignation as patron, with both sides exchanging accusations over governance and management practices.
In August 2025, the UK Charity Commission criticised all parties involved for allowing internal disputes to become public, stating that it had damaged the charity’s reputation and risked undermining public trust. However, it did not find evidence of racism or widespread misconduct.
Sentebale maintains that the current legal action is based on evidence linking Harry and Dyer to the alleged media campaign. The claim was reportedly filed on 24 March, though full details have not yet been made public.
Representatives for Prince Harry have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
The case marks a significant development in the ongoing fallout at Sentebale, a charity originally established to support vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana.
