Sentebale, the charity Prince Harry helped found almost 20 years ago, has filed a defamation lawsuit against him, alleging a coordinated media campaign harmed its reputation. Court documents filed at the High Court of England and Wales name both the duke and former trustee Mark Dyer as defendants. The charity says the action stems from a “coordinated adverse media campaign” that damaged its reputation, interfered with its operations, and unleashed online harassment against its leaders. The suit follows a period of internal turmoil that prompted resignations and regulatory investigations, deepening divisions within the organization and leaving Harry reportedly upset amid questions about leadership.
Sentebale alleges the campaign began in March 2025, spreading misleading information about the organization, straining ties with staff and partners, and prompting waves of online scrutiny. The charity says it had to redirect substantial time and resources toward managing a reputational crisis it did not create.
The claim was filed on March 24, but detailed court documents have not yet been released to the public.
The dispute comes after Harry resigned as a patron in 2025, along with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, citing a breakdown in relations between trustees and board chair Sophie Chandauka. Their exit occurred as several trustees also departed amid a broader governance crisis. In a joint statement, the founders said they stepped down “with heavy hearts,” calling the situation irreparable and deeply harmful to the charity’s governance.
The UK Charity Commission conducted an investigation into the organization.
