Prince Harry’s charity, Sentebale, co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006, has recently undergone notable changes, notably laying off all but one British staffer. This decision seems to stem from ongoing conflicts within the organization.
Founded in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana, Sentebale is reportedly facing financial challenges. This has led to significant staff changes as the charity works to resolve these issues behind the scenes.
Earlier this month, the Charity Commission of England and Wales announced that their investigation found no evidence of widespread bullying or harassment within the organization.
However, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, a member of the board, criticized the public nature of the conflict, emphasizing that it shouldn’t have been disclosed so openly.
The ongoing tensions have prompted the charity to significantly reduce its presence in the UK. Reports suggest a mass departure of staff, as confirmed by The Times of London.
According to the charity, only one full-time employee will remain at the UK headquarters after a total of seven layoffs were made from April to September. The reductions were reportedly necessary due to financial constraints, as they’ve indicated they lack adequate funds from donors.
Notably, among those impacted were key positions, including the global head of finance and compliance.
This restructuring plan was initially discussed earlier in 2024 and announced in December, aimed at improving efficiency and shifting operations to southern Africa.
The charity acknowledged that uncertainty around international funding sources and other events have necessitated these changes. They added that many stories surrounding staff departures have been misrepresented.
In light of recent developments, efforts are being made to reduce costs, including encouraging staff to work from home. According to sources, the organization has exhausted its budget amassed over the last 20 years, totaling around $1.9 million.
One insider mentioned that there has been significant redundancy within the organization, with many staff members being let go and cancellations occurring frequently.
Furthermore, recent tensions led the charity to seek clarification from the Charity Commission regarding probing processes.
Notably, Harry’s spokesperson has confirmed that he is exploring his options after stepping down from the organization during the internal conflicts.
Additionally, the charity has clarified that it hasn’t specifically looked into the accusations of racism or misogyny that had been directed at the Duke, who distanced himself from royal duties in 2020.
The founder of the Invictus Games reiterated that he is weighing his next steps following the recent upheaval within Sentebale.
