Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is facing a defamation lawsuit from Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in Africa to honor the legacy of his late mother, Princess Diana. The lawsuit was filed in London's High Court last month and alleges either libel or slander against Harry and his friend Mark Dyer, a former trustee of the charity.
Sentebale, which provides support to young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, claims the lawsuit stems from a negative media campaign that has reportedly disrupted its operations and harmed its reputation since March 25, 2025. The charity's statement highlights the need for court intervention to address the alleged damage.
This legal action places Prince Harry in the role of defendant, a shift from his recent history as a claimant in various litigation cases against British tabloids over privacy violations. Sentebale was co-founded nearly two decades ago by Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, inspired by Princess Diana's advocacy for HIV and AIDS treatment.
Tensions within the charity emerged in 2023 over a new fundraising strategy, prompting Harry and Seeiso to step down as patrons in March 2025 amid allegations of bullying from the charity’s chair, Sophie Chandauka. The Charity Commission for England and Wales subsequently investigated the situation and criticized both parties for allowing their disputes to become public, although it found no evidence of widespread bullying.
As this legal matter progresses, it highlights the complexities surrounding the relationship between the charity and its founders, as well as the challenges faced by organizations in maintaining their reputations amid personal disputes.