Sentebale accuses Prince Harry of 'triggering onslaught of cyber-bullying' in scathing statement: READ IN FULL

Dorothy Reddin
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:41:01 +0000

The Board of Trustees and Executive Director of Sentebale have issued a statement following news that Prince Harry has been sued for libel by his former charity.

The statement, which can be read in full below, accuses the Duke of Sussex and former trustee Mark Dyer of "triggering an onslaught of cyber-bullying". In response, Harry's spokesman confirmed he "categorically" rejects the "offensive and damaging" libel claim from his former charity.

The statement from the southern African charity reads: "Sentebale has commenced legal proceedings in the High Court of England and Wales.

"The charity seeks the court’s intervention, protection, and restitution following a coordinated adverse media campaign conducted since 25 March 2025 that has caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the charity, its leadership, and its strategic partners.

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"The proceedings have been brought against Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, identified through evidence as the architects of that adverse media campaign, which has had significant viral impact and triggered an onslaught of cyber-bullying directed at the charity and its leadership.

"Sentebale has experienced the adverse media campaign as false narratives circulated through the media about the charity and its leadership, attempts to undermine its relationships with staff, existing and prospective partners, and the forced diversion of leadership time and resources into managing a reputational crisis not of the charity’s making.

"Sentebale’s development sector funders have maintained 100 per cent of their financial commitment throughout this period, and the charity has been deeply moved by the continued generosity of individual donors who have stood firm alongside them.

"The commitment of our partners and donors reflects a shared conviction that good governance is fundamental to the integrity of any charitable organisation, and their faith in the continued work of the charity.

"It is also a reflection of the resolve of the Board and the teams in Lesotho and Botswana who have remained resilient and focused on the work in the face of sustained pressure.

"At a time when international aid is contracting and the needs of children across Southern Africa are growing, the work Sentebale delivers for 78,000 young lives is increasingly critical.

"The charity should not continue to use its resources to manage and address the damage this adverse media campaign has caused to its operations and partnerships. This must stop.

"The Board and Executive Director have taken this legal action to secure that protection. The costs of doing so are met entirely by external funding and no charitable funds have been used.

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"The Board and Executive Director trust that those who believe in Sentebale’s mission will understand why this legal action, whilst difficult, was necessary and important, and will continue to stand with us as we focus on the work ahead.

"Sentebale’s focus remains where it has always been: the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana. Sentebale does not intend to comment further on this matter while legal proceedings are ongoing."

Harry, 41, co-founded Sentebale in 2006 to help young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana.

However, he resigned as a patron in ⁠March 2025 after a public falling-out with the chairwoman of the board, Dr Sophie Chandauka.

The charity's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and the board of trustees joined Harry in leaving Sentebale last year.

The chairwoman reported Harry and the trustees to Britain's charity regulator for alleged bullying and harassment.

After a review, the Charity Commission reported it had ⁠found no evidence of bullying.

However, it said there had been weak governance and criticised all parties for allowing an internal dispute to become public.

Following the Charity Commission report that scrutinised the dispute, a spokesman for Prince Harry stated that the report "falls troublingly short".

He added that the "consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her, but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support".