Prince Harry Sued for Defamation by Co-Founded Charity Sentebale

Sentebale, a charity supporting vulnerable children and young people in southern Africa, has filed a defamation lawsuit in London’s high court against the Duke of Sussex. Prince Harry, who co-founded the organization, is named as a defendant alongside Mark Dyer, a former trustee of the charity.

The legal action, which includes claims of libel and slander, was filed on March 24, 2026. The lawsuit follows a period of public conflict between Prince Harry and the charity’s leadership after the prince resigned as a patron in March 2025.

Allegations of a Media Campaign

Sentebale states that the legal proceedings were initiated following a coordinated adverse media campaign that began on March 25, 2025. The charity alleges that this campaign caused reputational harm to its leadership, strategic partners, and general operations.

The proceedings have been brought against Prince Harry and Mark Dyer, identified through evidence as the architects of that adverse media campaign, which has had significant viral impact and triggered an onslaught of cyberbullying directed at the charity and its leadership.

Sentebale

According to the charity, the campaign involved the circulation of false narratives through the media regarding the organization’s leadership. Sentebale further claims that these actions were attempts to undermine its relationships with staff and both existing and prospective partners, forcing the leadership to divert time and resources to manage a reputational crisis.

Organizational Conflict and Resignations

The lawsuit is the latest development in a dispute over the management of Sentebale. Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down from the charity in March 2025. Their departure was accompanied by the resignation of a group of trustees.

The friction centered on a dispute with the charity’s chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, a lawyer who was appointed to the role in 2023. Following the resignations, a Charity Commission investigation took place. That investigation criticized the public nature of the dispute, stating that the way the conflict played out harmed the charity and found blame on all involved parties.

About Sentebale

Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. The organization operates in Botswana and Lesotho, where it focuses on the health and wellbeing of young people, with a specific emphasis on those living with HIV and Aids.

Representatives for Prince Harry and Sentebale have not provided further details regarding the specific claims in the lawsuit beyond the court filings.