Prince Harry and Former Equerry Face Defamation Lawsuit from African Charity Over 'Adverse Media Campaign' Allegations

Prince Harry has launched a fierce rebuttal against allegations made by Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded but later abandoned amid a bitter boardroom feud, calling the claims 'offensive and damaging.' The Duke of Sussex faces a High Court defamation suit from the organization, which accuses him and his former equerry, Mark Dyer, of orchestrating an 'adverse media campaign' that allegedly harmed its reputation. A spokesperson for Harry and Dyer said they 'categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims,' signaling a determined legal fight to clear their names.

The charity, which supports young people living with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, has accused Harry of causing 'operational disruption and reputational harm' through what it describes as a coordinated campaign of negative publicity. Sentebale's board of trustees filed the defamation claim on 24 March, listing it as 'libel and slander.' The charity claims Harry and Dyer were 'identified through evidence as the architects' of the campaign, which it says spread 'false narratives' and diverted resources from its core mission.

The dispute dates back to a public power struggle between Harry and Sentebale's chair, Sophie Chandauka. The rift culminated in Harry and his fellow founder, Prince Seeiso, along with a group of trustees, resigning in March 2023. The Charity Commission later criticized all parties for airing their grievances publicly, warning that the row risked eroding public trust in the charity sector. While the regulator found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, it acknowledged 'the strong perception of ill treatment' among some involved.

Harry's legal team has framed the case as a defense of his legacy and the charity's mission. A source close to the Duke said he was 'emotionally devastated' by the fallout, which followed 19 years of work with Sentebale. The charity had previously benefited from Harry's support, including a £1.2 million donation from the profits of his memoir *Spare*. Now, the lawsuit has reignited tensions, with both sides trading accusations in court.

Sentebale's statement to the court emphasized that the adverse media campaign 'undermined' its work, forcing leadership to divert time and resources from its programs. The charity claims it faced 'attempts to undermine its relationships with staff, existing and prospective partners.' Harry's team, however, has dismissed these allegations as baseless, insisting the Duke never sought to harm the organization he founded in honor of his mother, Princess Diana.

The case has drawn sharp attention from the media and public, with observers watching closely as the legal battle unfolds. For Harry, the lawsuit is not just a personal matter but a test of his commitment to the cause that once defined his charitable work. For Sentebale, it represents a fight to protect its reputation and mission in the face of what it calls a 'coordinated' attack.