(Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Rosa Woods)
Prince Harry is under fire once again—this time for stepping down from Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago to honour his mother’s legacy. Critics say the move not only hurts his reputation but also reflects how far he’s drifted from the meaningful work he was once known for.
Speaking to The Sun, royal biographer Hugo Vickers didn’t hold back when assessing the impact of Harry’s decision to leave the organisation. “It is [damaging]. It’s most unfortunate, the whole thing, really – he was trained to do exactly that sort of work and does it very well,” said Vickers. “And the fact that he’s sort of isolated from it just means that he’s leading a rather pointless existence.”
The Duke of Sussex, along with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, resigned from their roles at Sentebale after a reported leadership clash with the charity’s chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka. The pair cited their inability to continue working under her leadership. In response, Chandauka alleged harassment, bullying, and discrimination from the board, intensifying the fallout and drawing public scrutiny.
The controversy has sparked debate about Harry’s changing priorities, especially since relocating to the United States with Meghan Markle. A political leader from Lesotho also weighed in, suggesting Harry began losing interest in the charity after his marriage and move abroad.
Sentebale, founded in 2006, was one of Harry’s most deeply personal projects. It focuses on supporting children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The charity’s name, meaning “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, symbolised Harry’s continued commitment to Princess Diana’s humanitarian work.
Now, with Harry stepping back and the organisation facing internal conflict and a public relations storm, some say the Duke’s once-strong identity as a hands-on humanitarian is slipping away.
Critics like Vickers argue that Harry’s absence from charitable work is leaving a void not just in the causes he championed, but in his own life as well. “He does it very well,” Vickers noted, “and the fact that he’s not doing it anymore is just a loss all around.”
