Prince Harry sued for defamation by charity Sentebale he co-founded
Prince Harry Faces Defamation Lawsuit from Charity He Co-Founded
A legal proceeding has been initiated by Sentebale, a charity co-founded by the Duke of Sussex, against him for alleged defamatory statements. The organization, which focuses on aiding youth in southern Africa, particularly those affected by HIV and AIDS, claims the campaign has caused operational disruptions and damaged its public image. The case, listed on 24 March, names Prince Harry and Mark Dyer as defendants, with the latter also being a former trustee of the group.
Charity’s Statement on Public Attacks
A representative for Sentebale’s trustees and executive director stated that the lawsuit aims to secure judicial intervention, safeguard the charity’s reputation, and recover losses from coordinated media efforts. These attacks, they argue, have undermined the organization’s mission to support young people in Botswana and Lesotho.
“Sentebale’s problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity’s reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity’s ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve,” said Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict escalated last year, leading to Prince Harry and Mark Dyer resigning from the charity alongside several other trustees. The dispute centered on management practices, with tensions reportedly fueled by financial disagreements and contrasting views on fundraising strategies. Both sides exchanged accusations of misconduct, prompting an investigation by the Charity Commission.
Charity Commission’s Findings
The watchdog concluded in August 2025 that all parties involved had contributed to the conflict. It criticized the public nature of the dispute, which it said had harmed the charity’s credibility and distracted from its work. Legal expenses for the case are reportedly covered entirely by external funding, with no use of charitable resources.
Founding of the Charity
Sentebale was established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in memory of Harry’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The charity has since received a significant £1.2m donation from the profits of Harry’s memoir, *Spare*. He described his departure as “devastating,” highlighting the personal and professional impact of the conflict.
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