Head of Prince Harry's charity acting in 'the poorest possible taste' for referencing Diana

The head of Prince Harry's former charity Sentebale has been accused of acting "in the poorest possible taste" for referencing the late Princess Diana in a statement.

Dr Sophie Chandauka was responding to the UK's Charity Commission ruling yesterday which found she she could stay in the role of chairman following a public spat which saw the Duke of Sussex and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, along with other trustees, resign in March.

The row began when Dr Chandauka was asked to step down following disagreements about fundraising and mismanagement.

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She responded by suing the charity and reporting it to the UK's Charity Commission, alleging bullying, harassment, misogyny and "misogynoir" – discrimination against black women.

Days after Prince Harry's resignation was made public, Dr Chandauka said she had been subjected to people who "play the victim card". She also accused Harry of trying to use the charity as "an extension of the Sussex PR machine".

The Charity Commission report – released on Wednesday – found problems with Sentebale's governance and rebuked "all parties" involved in the scandal by "allowing it to play out publicly".

It also found no evidence of widespread or systematic bullying or harassment, including misogyny.

In response, Dr Chandauka issued a statement which said: "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato".

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But the wording of that statement has not sat well with those close to Prince Harry.

A source close to the duke said: "For Sophie Chandauka to have invoked Princess Diana's memory in her own defence was in the poorest possible taste," The Telegraph UK reported.

"She's got what she wants, which is control of the charity, but unfortunately the people who suffer most out of all of this… are the children of Lesotho and Botswana."

Sentebale was co-founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 following the duke's gap year there in 2004.

Its name means 'forget me not' and was inspired by Princess Diana's favourite flower. Sentebale helps children affected by extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.

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According to the publication, Prince Harry is said to be "emotionally devastated" and "drained" following the release of the report.

The watchdog ruled Dr Chandauka, and the current board could remain in place, in what is being seen as a major loss for Prince Harry.

The findings mean Prince Harry's split from Sentebale is likely to be permanent, with no way back.

The source told The Telegraph UK: "The most devastating thing for Prince Harry in all of this is that his life's work and all the money he was able to pump into Lesotho and Botswana through his work has gone down in flames.

"She's allowing it to go down in flames because of her own pride and hubris…[Harry] has for the last 19 years established this charity from nothing."

Prince Harry issued a statement, via his spokesperson, following the report's findings on Wednesday.

It 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.

"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."

The Charity Commission issued a second statement on Wednesday afternoon, saying it "acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally".

It also suggested further investigation into the bullying accusations: "The Commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry.

"The issues not investigated by the Commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the Commission."

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