Prince Harry is facing accusations of sending an “unpleasant” text message to Sophie Chandauka, the head of his Sentebale charity.
The charity has found itself at the center of controversy after this revelation.
Sources suggest that the message further fueled the belief that Harry expects those around him to be subservient.
The text allegedly questioned how she intended to manage a public incident involving Meghan Markle during a fundraising polo match.
This comes at a time when the relationship between Prince Harry and Sentebale’s board of trustees is becoming increasingly strained.
A number of trustees have stepped down, citing an irreparable breakdown in their working relationship with Ms. Chandauka, according to Mail Online.
Despite the resignations, she remains firm in her position and has no plans to resign, instead prioritizing the charity’s work in Lesotho and Botswana.
The controversy centers around a charity polo match in Miami last year. Ms. Chandauka has accused Prince Harry of causing disruptions by insisting on bringing a Netflix film crew to film for a documentary.
She claims this led to the charity losing its venue. When the event was later rescheduled, Meghan Markle allegedly made an unannounced appearance, accompanied by her friend, tennis champion Serena Williams.
Footage from the prize-giving ceremony seems to show Ms. Chandauka being pushed aside by Meghan, which only added to the growing tension.
After the event, Harry reportedly urged Ms. Chandauka to publicly back Meghan, a request she refused, explaining that Sentebale should not be seen as an extension of the Sussex brand.
This stance apparently heightened tensions, with sources indicating that attempts were made to force her resignation.
Ms. Chandauka has since accused the charity’s leadership of harassment, bullying, and misconduct.
She has also submitted a Serious Incident Report (SIR) to the Charity Commission, which is now under review.
While she acknowledges Prince Harry’s past contributions to the charity, she has raised concerns about its governance and its capacity to operate independently of his personal projects.
However, supporters of Prince Harry claim that Ms. Chandauka’s accusations are misleading and an attempt to discredit him.
A source close to the trustees has questioned whether her actions truly prioritize the charity’s best interests or if she is using her position to target Prince Harry.
The UK Charity Commission is currently investigating the dispute at Sentebale, a charity co-founded by Prince Harry, according to the BBC.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Sentebale continues its work, with new trustees stepping in and fresh sponsorships emerging.