Prince Harry is reimagining his plans for making an impact in Lesotho and Botswana following his shocking step down from Sentebale, the charity he cofounded to uplift young people in the region.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, resigned as patron in March following a breakdown in relations between Sentebale chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka and the board of trustees. Now, with a charity watchdog’s report released and the current leadership still in place, Prince Harry is assessing his future, with a continued focus on making a difference for young Africans.
A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex tells PEOPLE, “The Duke remains absolutely committed to continuing the work he started, supporting the children and young people of Lesotho and Botswana, nearly 20 years ago.”
Prince Harry is now mulling his options — and despite a report in the Mail on Sunday that he will set up a separate, rival organization, the representative says no decision has been made yet on “what form that support takes.”
Prince Harry leaves High Court in London on April 8, 2025.
Carl Court/Getty
“All options remain on the table; whether that be starting a new charity or working to support pre-existing charities operating in the same sector in the region,” the spokesperson says.
The update follows the Charity Commission for England and Wales’ investigation into Sentebale. On Aug. 6, the commission announced it found no evidence of “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir” in response to claims made by Chandauka earlier this year.
The Commission’s statement also outlined that it found no “overreach” by either Chandauka or Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as Sentebale’s patrons in March amid the allegations about the charity’s governance, saying they made the move “in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees,” who resigned amid the infighting.
However, the Commission criticized all parties “for allowing to play out publicly” and concluded that the then-trustees’ failure to resolve the disputes internally “severely impacted the charity’s reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally.”
Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre on Oct. 1, 2024 in Maseru, Lesotho.
Brian Otieno/Getty
The Commission also issued a Regulatory Action Plan for Sentebale to identify weaknesses within its governance structure in order to move forward.
Chandauka, who was named Sentebale’s chair in July 2023 and retains that role, said that she welcomed the Charity Commission’s findings and that Sentebale would always be “inspired” by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso’s vision and mission.
Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and and Dr. Sophie Chandauka speak during the Sentebale Potential is Waiting on April 11, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Jason Koerner/Getty
“I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025 … The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private,” the Zimbabwean corporate finance lawyer said in a statement.
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso established Sentebale in 2006 in memory of their late mothers, and the organization’s name means “forget-me-not” in the Sesotho language. The charity works to empower young people in Lesotho and Botswana, including those living with HIV/AIDS, by offering healthcare, education, vocational training, climate resilience and life skills as a support.
Royal watchers were taken aback when the Duke of Sussex announced his departure from the charity in March. In April, the Charity Commission for England and Wales—the U.K.’s nonprofit watchdog — opened a regulatory compliance case “to examine concerns raised about Sentebale.”
Prince Harry arrives at a welcome event at the Sentebale Mamohato Children’s Centre on Oct. 1, 2024 in Maseru, Lesotho.
Brian Otieno/Getty
When trustees asked her to step down as chair, she sued, and when the board resigned, the princes followed in a decision they described as “devastating.”
For her part, Chandauka alleged that she was asked to step down after she “dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir” and emphasized that she would not be intimidated.
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In a statement replying to the latest findings, a spokesperson for Prince Harry said, “Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale’s Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair.”
“Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair’s actions will not be borne by her — but by the children who rely on Sentebale’s support,” the spokesperson continued.
Prince Harry arrives to visit Matlameng – Ha Mahlehle in the Leribe region with Sentebale in Leribe, Lesotho on Oct. 2, 2024.
Brian Otieno/Getty
“Sentebale has been a deeply personal and transformative mission for Prince Harry, established to serve some of the most vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana. For 19 years, its dedicated staff and steadfast supporters have provided vital care to over 100,000 young people across southern Africa, including young people living with HIV/AIDS and those facing mental health challenges. As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former Board of Trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to—like its namesake—a flowering force for good.
“With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind — and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began — the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.”