Prince Harry has been accused of asking the chairman of his African charity to act as an “extension of the Sussex PR machine” to support his wife's public reputation.
Sophie Chandauka, chairman of the African AIDS charity Sentebale, co-founded by Prince Harry, claimed she refused a request from the Duke of Sussex’s team to use her public platform to defend Meghan Markle from negative media coverage.
The allegations come amid an ongoing dispute between the Sussexes and Ms Chandauka, with Prince Harry stepping away from Sentebale earlier this week, citing a “broken relationship” between the board and its chairman.
Ms Chandauka told the Financial Times: “I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine.”
She also blamed a toxic media environment surrounding the royal couple for Sentebale's recent financial difficulties. She explained: “When you start to interview people, they are asking questions about, well, these mixed messages about its patron."
Following the Duke’s departure, Ms Chandauka launched legal action against the charity after the board of trustees attempted to remove her from her position.
In a joint statement, Sentebale co-founders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho said: “These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship.”
The pair described the events as “unthinkable”, emphasising their continued commitment to the charity's beneficiaries, adding that they would be sharing their concerns with the Charity Commission.
Tensions between Ms Chandauka and the Sussexes reportedly stem from an awkward moment on stage at a Sentebale charity polo match last year. During a photo opportunity, Meghan was filmed asking Ms Chandauka to move to her left, away from Prince Harry, causing her to duck beneath the Prince’s arm in a widely publicised clip.
A source told the Telegraph: “Ultimately, it comes down to that polo match and the awkward moment with Megan moving her out the way.”
It was subsequently reported that Harry requested Ms Chandauka make a public statement asserting that Meghan had not acted inappropriately, which she refused.
Former trustees of Sentebale described their decision to resign as “devastating” but said it was the “result of our loss in trust and confidence in the chair of the board”.
In response, Ms Chandauka confirmed she had reported the trustees to the UK Charity Commission, alleging abuses of power, bullying, sexism and racism.
