In a shocking turn of events, the head of Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has described the Duke’s personal brand as "toxic," claiming that it has hindered the organization's ability to function effectively. This criticism comes shortly after Prince Harry and several other key figures made the decision to resign from the charity earlier this week.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, chairwoman of Sentebale, expressed that she began to notice growing tensions with Prince Harry approximately a year ago. This tension seems to have escalated around his departure, which she compared to “harassment and bullying at scale,” highlighting the distress it has caused for both her and others involved with the organization.

While some insiders expected this dramatic fallout, sources close to the departing trustees and patrons stated that they believe their resignation was ultimately in the best interests of the charity. They anticipate that the truth surrounding these events will come to light in due course.

In response to the turmoil, Prince Harry cited irreparable breakdowns in communication with the charity's trustees as a significant reason for his departure. However, Dr. Chandauka has staunchly defended her tenure, asserting that the real obstacle for Sentebale is indeed the conflicted image of its lead patron. "The number-one risk for this organization was the toxicity of its lead patron's brand," she remarked.

The charity, which was established in 2006 in memory of Princess Diana, aims to provide support to individuals in southern Africa living with HIV and AIDS. It has faced new challenges, particularly following Prince Harry's move to the United States, which Dr. Chandauka believes has negatively impacted its ability to attract funding and recruit personnel. She noted that potential hires are often deterred by the controversial headlines surrounding Prince Harry and his family.

Adding to the controversy, Dr. Chandauka revealed that Prince Harry’s team had previously approached her to defend Meghan Markle against negative media coverage—a request she rejected, emphasizing that Sentebale should not act as an extension of their public relations efforts.

In a particularly pointed critique, Dr. Chandauka stated that she felt compelled to speak out after Prince Harry's recent actions without prior notice to her or other key leaders within Sentebale. "Can you imagine what this attack has meant for me and the 540 individuals involved with Sentebale and their families?" she lamented. Her comments underscore the profound effect this internal strife may have on the charity's mission moving forward.

As the fallout continues, many are left wondering what this means for Prince Harry’s future endeavors in charity work and how his actions may ripple through the organizations he has sought to support. The question remains: what’s next for a prince whose charitable legacy seems to be hanging by a thread?