Prince Prince Harry is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by Sentebale, the Africa-focused charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago, marking a dramatic escalation in a long-running internal dispute.
The case, lodged at the High Court in London, names Prince Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer as defendants.
The lawsuit centres on allegations that the Duke of Sussex was involved in a campaign that damaged the charity’s reputation and disrupted its operations.
Sentebale was established in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in honour of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
The name ‘Sentebale’ means ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, symbolising remembrance and continued support for vulnerable communities.
The organisation operates primarily in Lesotho and Botswana, focusing on children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, it has delivered programmes aimed at healthcare access, mental health support, education, and life skills development, becoming one of Prince Harry’s most prominent philanthropic initiatives.
According to court filings, Sentebale accuses Prince Harry and Dyer of orchestrating a “coordinated adverse media campaign” beginning around March 2025. The charity claims the alleged actions led to significant reputational harm and operational disruption.
Among the key claims raised in the suit are:
- The spread of damaging narratives about the charity’s leadership
- Increased online harassment and cyberbullying targeting staff
- Strained relationships with partners and stakeholders
- Diversion of resources away from core programmes to manage the fallout
While the full extent of damages being sought has not been publicly disclosed, the organisation is pursuing legal remedies to address what it describes as sustained harm.
The legal action stems from a high-profile fallout within Sentebale’s leadership, which unfolded over the past year.
Reports indicate that disagreements over governance and direction led to Prince Harry stepping down from his role within the organisation in 2025.
The dispute involved tensions with the charity’s leadership, including its chair, and quickly spilled into the public domain, drawing scrutiny from regulators and the media.
The UK’s Charity Commission reviewed aspects of the conflict and found no evidence of systemic misconduct.
However, it criticised those involved for allowing internal disagreements to escalate publicly, warning that such disputes risk undermining confidence in charitable institutions.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “offensive and damaging.”
His team has also questioned the rationale behind the lawsuit, particularly the decision by a charity to pursue legal action against one of its founders.
They argue that such a move could divert attention and resources away from the organisation’s mission.
Sentebale, however, has maintained that the case is being funded independently and not through funds intended for beneficiaries.
