Bombshell letter claims trustees resigned from Harry's former charity after 'significant concerns'

Dorothy Reddin
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:02:59 +0000

A previously undisclosed resignation letter from former Sentebale trustees has surfaced, featuring serious accusations of misconduct and intimidation against the charity's chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka.

The document emerged just days after the organisation launched defamation proceedings against the Duke of Sussex in the High Court.

The letter, as reported by the Times, suggests internal turmoil preceded Prince Harry's departure from the charity he established in memory of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. His exit in 2024 surprised many supporters at the time.

Signed by Mark Dyer alongside five fellow trustees, the correspondence was dispatched when the entire board stepped down in March 2025 as a protest against Dr Chandauka's leadership. Until now, the document had remained confidential.

The trustees claimed they had "unanimously decided to resign" following months of raising "significant concerns" about Dr Chandauka's alleged conduct.

According to the letter, this was "not a sudden decision" but rather the culmination of prolonged difficulties.

Among the allegations, the former board members claimed Dr Chandauka had attempted to alter official board minutes and presided over a "breakdown" in relations with staff and major financial backers.

They alleged her leadership had produced an "adverse effect" on the organisation.

When asked to step aside, Dr Chandauka allegedly responded with "vague and deeply troubling allegations" designed to "threaten and intimidate the board, its patrons and a donor", the letter states.

The trustees wrote that these actions further "diminished trust" within Sentebale.

Dr Chandauka disputed the trustees' version of events and made her own accusations regarding Harry's conduct during the crisis.

Speaking to Sky News, she characterised the duke's handling of his departure as "harassment and bullying at scale" and criticised the manner in which the news was released without her prior knowledge.

In separate remarks, the chairwoman suggested that Harry's public image had become the organisation's greatest liability.

She stated that "the number one risk for this organisation was the toxicity of its lead patron's brand", arguing his profile had hampered Sentebale's capacity to recruit staff and secure donations.

The conflict escalated further when Dr Chandauka pursued a High Court injunction attempting to prevent a board meeting where trustees intended to vote on her position.

The trustees claimed in their letter that the situation had grown "untenable" and cautioned that the charity faced "irreparable damage". They wrote: "This attack from within threatens to destroy Sentebale for good."

Harry and Prince Seeiso, who co-founded the charity, subsequently resigned as patrons in March 2025, citing concerns over leadership and direction.

The letter indicated the pair were "aligned" with the trustees' stance and would not continue while Dr Chandauka remained in post.

Court documents released on Friday revealed Sentebale has filed proceedings claiming Harry and Mr Dyer coordinated an "adverse media campaign" that harmed the charity's reputation and operations, allegations both men deny.

GB News has contacted Sentebale for comment on the letter.