CAPE TOWN, South Africa - In a surprising turn of events, Prince Harry has stepped down as a patron of the African charity Sentebale, which he co-founded nearly two decades ago in memory of his beloved mother, Princess Diana. The resignation comes in response to a severe rift between the charity’s board members and its chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka.

In a heartfelt joint statement with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who co-founded Sentebale alongside Harry in 2006, the Duke of Sussex revealed that their decision to resign was made "with heavy hearts." Both princes expressed their support for the trustees amid an ongoing dispute with Chandauka.

“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation,” Harry and Seeiso stated. They detailed that the trustees acted in the best interests of the charity by calling for the chair’s resignation, only for Chandauka to take legal action against the organization to retain her position.

The chairwoman has since claimed foul play, alleging misconduct within the charity without providing specific names or allegations. She emphasized a narrative centered around her confronting issues within the organization, which she suggested include poor governance and behavioral misconduct, particularly highlighting sexism and racism faced by Black women in leadership roles.

With the situation escalating, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso announced their intent to engage the Charity Commission, the U.K. government body that oversees charitable organizations, stating, “What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries.”

Despite their resignations, the princes reiterated their founding role, declaring they would “never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”

Notably, Sentebale, which translates to "don’t forget me" in Sesotho, was originally established to assist children and young people affected by AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. However, the organization has recently undergone a shift, now embracing a broader mission that includes youth health, economic stability, and climate resilience across southern Africa.

Prince Harry, who has been closely connected with the charity since his gap year in Lesotho, last visited Sentebale in October. He delivered an inspiring message to the youth involved, underscoring the impact of individual efforts: “You might not always realize how significant your influence is, but if it changes even one person’s life, it’s worth it.”

As this dispute unfolds, the future of Sentebale remains uncertain, raising questions about its governance and the implications for the children it aims to help. The public will be keeping a close watch on how this situation develops, especially given the gravity of the issues at stake. Will Sentebale recover from this shake-up, or is this the beginning of the end for the charity founded in memory of a beloved princess? Stay tuned!