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Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has stepped away from Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago in Lesotho to honor his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and support children impacted by HIV and Aids. The decision, made alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, his long-time partner in the venture, ends a significant chapter for the organization, which has recently been rocked by internal strife. At 40, Harry’s departure comes after a breakdown in relations with the charity’s board, revealing disagreements over its future direction and damaging allegations that have strained its leadership. His final visit to Lesotho in 2024 showcased the charity’s ongoing work, yet it also foreshadowed an unexpected exit from a cause he once vowed to champion indefinitely.
Harry’s journey with Sentebale began in 2004 during a gap year after finishing his studies at Eton and before starting military training at Sandhurst. At 19, he traveled to Lesotho, a mountainous kingdom in southern Africa, where he encountered the devastating effects of the HIV epidemic. Moved by the plight of children orphaned by the disease, he teamed up with Seeiso two years later to establish Sentebale in 2006. The name, meaning “forget-me-not” in Sesotho, reflects its personal significance, tying Harry to his mother’s legacy of compassion and advocacy for those affected by Aids, a cause she famously embraced in her lifetime.
Over the years, Sentebale evolved from a small initiative into a regional force, expanding its mission to include health, education, and climate resilience programs across Lesotho and Botswana. Harry remained deeply involved, making regular trips and engaging with supporters worldwide. However, his relocation to the United States in 2020, following his exit from royal duties, posed logistical challenges to his hands-on role. Despite this, he emphasized his unwavering commitment during a poignant speech at a London fundraising dinner in January 2020, thanking the Sentebale team for giving him the strength to embrace his new life with Meghan Markle.
Roots of a personal mission
Harry’s first encounter with Lesotho came at a pivotal moment in his life. In 2004, the country was grappling with one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, affecting nearly a quarter of its adult population. During his visit, he met communities shattered by loss, children left parentless, and local leaders striving for change. This experience left an indelible mark, inspiring him to act. Alongside Prince Seeiso, who had also lost his mother, Harry launched Sentebale to provide medical and emotional support to vulnerable youth, channeling their shared grief into a force for good.
The charity’s early days focused on aiding orphans of the HIV crisis, but its scope soon broadened. By 2010, it extended operations to Botswana, and later introduced prevention programs and sustainable development projects. Harry and Seeiso led with a hands-on approach, visiting sites and building relationships with beneficiaries. Their efforts turned Sentebale into a beacon of hope, drawing global attention to the region’s challenges and earning the support of donors eager to back a cause tied to both royal legacy and tangible impact.
A bond beyond charity
The partnership between Harry and Seeiso grew into a deep friendship rooted in mutual loss and purpose. Seeiso, younger brother to King Letsie III of Lesotho, attended Harry’s wedding to Meghan in 2018 at Windsor Castle and was present at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ceremony in 2011 at Westminster Abbey. These milestones underscored the personal stakes of their collaboration. For Harry, Sentebale was a sanctuary, a place where he could honor Diana’s memory while forging a meaningful connection with Seeiso.
Their joint leadership shone during events like the 2024 visit to Matlameng, where they highlighted a climate resilience project blending sustainable agriculture with youth health initiatives. Harry’s public affirmation of lifelong dedication to Sentebale during that trip made his subsequent exit all the more shocking. The contrast between his words and actions hints at a rift that had been simmering beneath the surface, one that ultimately proved irreparable.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – Photo: Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.comTurmoil at the top
Recent months have seen Sentebale plunged into controversy. A falling-out between the founders and the charity’s board chair exposed deep divisions over its strategic path. Unspecified accusations and a breakdown in trust led to Harry and Seeiso’s decision to step down, shaking the organization’s once-stable foundation. The crisis has cast a shadow over Sentebale’s reputation as a model of impactful philanthropy led by high-profile figures.
Harry’s move to California in 2020 likely exacerbated tensions. While his U.S.-based team insists he remained engaged, tracking progress and supporting initiatives remotely, the physical distance strained his ability to steer the charity directly. The exit appears less a personal retreat from the cause and more a consequence of irreconcilable differences with the board, leaving Sentebale at a crossroads as it faces an uncertain future without its founding visionaries.
Key milestones of Sentebale
Sentebale’s journey reflects its growth and adaptability:
Launched in 2006 to support HIV orphans in Lesotho.Expanded to Botswana in 2010, widening its regional footprint.Rolled out HIV prevention programs for teens in 2015.Began climate resilience projects in 2022, linking health and sustainability.
These steps cemented Sentebale’s role in addressing the region’s evolving needs, though its success now hinges on navigating this leadership upheaval.
Measuring the impact
Sentebale’s work has touched countless lives. Since its inception, it has reached over 200,000 young people in Lesotho and Botswana with health and education services. In 2023 alone, around 5,000 teens participated in HIV prevention efforts, while sustainable agriculture projects aided more than 1,200 families. These figures underscore the scale of Harry and Seeiso’s legacy, even as the charity confronts its current challenges.
The HIV epidemic remains a persistent issue in Lesotho, where the adult prevalence rate has dropped to about 20% but still ranks among the globe’s highest. Sentebale’s focus on supporting affected youth has been vital, particularly in rural areas where resources are scarce. Its broader initiatives, like climate resilience, also tackle intersecting crises, amplifying its relevance in the region.
Navigating a new reality
Harry’s shift to the U.S. in 2020 sparked early questions about his Sentebale role. At the January 2020 dinner in London, he spoke candidly of his sadness at leaving the U.K. and his gratitude for the charity’s support during his transition. Stepping away from royal life after failed negotiations with the royal family marked a turning point, forcing him to adapt how he managed his charitable commitments.
Living in California limited his in-person presence, though he stayed connected through virtual engagements and his 2024 Lesotho visit. That trip, meant to signal continuity, instead became a swan song as internal conflicts boiled over. The episode echoes other adjustments Harry has made, such as overseeing the Invictus Games remotely, but none carry the emotional weight of his Sentebale departure.
Diana’s enduring influence
Diana, Princess of Wales, looms large over Sentebale. Her groundbreaking work destigmatizing Aids in the 1980s and 1990s—visiting patients and challenging public fears—inspired Harry’s mission. He often cited her influence, noting in 2020 how the charity embraced him after her 1997 death. Sentebale became his way to extend her compassion, a thread woven into every interaction with its beneficiaries.
Each trip to Lesotho deepened that bond, whether meeting children whose lives mirrored his mother’s advocacy or witnessing the ripple effects of her legacy. Walking away from Sentebale thus severs a profound link to Diana, making it a personal as well as professional loss for Harry, who shaped much of his public identity around her memory.
Uncertainty ahead for Sentebale
The exit of Harry and Seeiso leaves Sentebale in uncharted territory. New leadership must emerge to sustain its mission and weather potential funding dips tied to the founders’ departure. The internal rift has sparked concerns about donor confidence, given the charity’s reliance on their high-profile backing.
Lesotho’s ongoing struggles with HIV and climate change heighten the stakes. Sentebale’s programs remain critical, but their continuity depends on steady governance. As the organization redefines itself, its ability to adapt without its original champions will determine whether it can build on two decades of progress.
Fascinating facts about Sentebale
Sentebale’s story includes unique tidbits:
“Sentebale” was chosen as a tribute to Harry and Seeiso’s mothers.Its first project was a 2007 camp for HIV-affected kids.Harry learned basic Sesotho phrases for his visits.Celebrities like Elton John and Charlize Theron have supported its fundraisers.
These details highlight the charity’s personal and global resonance as it braces for change.
Timeline of Harry’s Sentebale journey
Key moments trace Harry’s involvement:
2004: Visits Lesotho during gap year.2006: Founds Sentebale with Seeiso.2018: Seeiso attends Harry’s wedding to Meghan.2020: Delivers heartfelt speech at London fundraiser.2024: Makes final Lesotho visit before stepping down.
This chronology captures the arc of his dedication and the sudden shift of his exit.
