Misconduct claims at charity set up by Prince Harry 'a surprise', says Sentebale trustee

26 March 2025, 20:30 | Updated: 27 March 2025, 01:17

A former trustee at a charity co-founded by Prince Harry has said he is surprised at claims of bullying, harassment and misogyny made by its chairwoman.

Dr Kelello Lerotholi told Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills he did not recognise the allegations.

Prince Harry established Sentebale in 2006, in honour of his mother, to help children and young people in southern Africa.

Dr Lerotholi and other trustees have resigned amid a bitter internal row, with Harry also quitting as patron in solidarity.

The royal said on Tuesday he was devastated and "in shock" at having to part ways.

"What's transpired is unthinkable," said a joint statement issued with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

Chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, who has not accused anyone specifically, alleged "issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir".

However, Dr Lerotholi told Sky News he had never witnessed these issues and that the claims "came to me as a surprise".

"I can honestly say, in the meetings I was present in, there was never even a hint of such," he said.

"The general tone and conduct of the board has been one of respect for each other, accommodating each others' opinions and inputs, and speaking with respect to each other.

"So this all came as a shock to me.

Dr Chandauka said on Tuesday that she had reported Sentebale's trustees to the Charity Commission in the UK and obtained an injunction to stop them from removing her.

Precise details of the falling out within the charity are unclear, but reports have suggested it's connected to a decision to focus fundraising in Africa.

"I think things came to a head at the end of last year when it seemed that we were not doing as well as we used to be and that the future didn't look as bright as it used to," Dr Lerotholi added.

"As is natural in an organisation we had to sort of look inwards and see how we deal with it and then look at how the situation came to be."

Prince Harry was inspired to start the organisation after spending two months in Lesotho when he was on a gap year in 2004.

Dr Lerotholi said the situation was especially painful for him because he "was there at the very beginning".

"I recall personally hosting Harry during his gap year. He happened to be in Lesotho during the Rugby World Cup. I happen to have an oversized TV so they spent most of their time watching the World Cup," he said, noting that this is when initial discussions about the charity started.

"So I've watched them from the very beginning into where they are now. I've also experienced very closely the successes they've had, the impact they've had.

"When I look at that and see where we're at now, it's really very disheartening and actually very painful and very personal to see what we've come to," he said.

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Dr Lerotholi admitted it was "very difficult" to think about the next steps.

He said he has a sense from Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso that they feel guilty "of having to take the decision they’ve had to take, but also understanding the fact that they had no choice ultimately for the betterment of the charity".

The princes' decision to resign allows them to "see what's next", Dr Lerotholi said.

"Because I can tell you, I'm very sure they are not going to leave the kids in the lurch, they’re going to find a way to deliver on the mission that they've set for themselves in the memory of their mothers."

A Charity Commission spokesperson said it was "aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale" and was "assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps".

Prince Harry was in Lesotho - which has one of the world's highest rates of HIV and Aids - as recently as last October.

In a statement, Sentebale said it was evolving into an organisation which addresses larger issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in southern Africa.

It said it had not yet received resignations from its two royal patrons.

(c) Sky News 2025: Misconduct claims at charity set up by Prince Harry 'a surprise', says Sentebale trustee