Prince Harry sued by charity he co-founded to honor Princess Diana
Prince Harry is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the charity he helped establish two decades ago in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana. Sentebale, the charity that provides support to young people in Lesotho and Botswana living with HIV, filed a defamation claim against Harry and his close friend, Mark Dyer, in London’s High Court in March.
The court documents reveal that Harry and Dyer are facing charges of libel and slander, although no further details were provided. Sentebale confirmed the legal action on their website, stating that they have initiated proceedings to seek intervention, protection, and restitution following a damaging media campaign orchestrated by Harry and Dyer. The charity claims that this campaign has caused operational disruption and reputational harm, leading to cyberbullying directed at the organization and its leadership.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Harry and Dyer vehemently denied the allegations, stating that they categorically reject the claims. The spokesperson expressed disappointment that charitable funds are being used for legal action against individuals who have been instrumental in supporting the organization for nearly two decades.
Harry co-founded Sentebale with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso after spending time in the country during his gap year in 2004. The charity, which means “forget me not” in the official language of Lesotho, was established as a tribute to Princess Diana, who played a significant role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS.
In March 2025, Harry and Seeiso resigned from their roles as patrons of Sentebale, citing irreconcilable differences with the charity’s board of trustees. The organization’s chairwoman accused the trustees of poor governance and bullying, leading to a restructuring of the board.
Despite the internal turmoil, the United Kingdom’s Charity Commission found no evidence of widespread bullying or harassment at Sentebale in a report released in August. The commission criticized the charity for allowing internal disputes to play out publicly and highlighted a lack of clarity in its structure.
Prior to his resignation, Sentebale was a passion project for Harry, who had made numerous visits to Lesotho and raised funds for the organization through charity polo matches and other fundraisers. In 2015, Harry named the dining room at the Mamohato’s Children Centre in Lesotho the “Princess of Wales Hall” in honor of Diana.
The ongoing legal battle between Harry, Dyer, and Sentebale underscores the challenges faced by charitable organizations and the complexities of managing relationships within the nonprofit sector.
