Prince Harry is reportedly being sued by Sentebale, the charity he co-founded nearly two decades ago, in a defamation case that has intensified tensions between the two sides.
According to legal filings, the organisation alleges that Harry and his longtime associate, Mark Dyer, were responsible for driving a negative media narrative that caused reputational damage to the charity and its leadership. The claims suggest that the situation escalated into widespread online harassment targeting those involved with Sentebale.
The legal action follows Harry’s stepping down as patron of the charity last year, following a dispute within its leadership. His resignation was made in support of several trustees who had also chosen to leave, citing a breakdown in trust with the chairperson, Sophie Chandauka.
While the Duke has strongly denied the accusations, describing them as unjust and harmful, the charity maintains that it has been dealing with misinformation and ongoing reputational challenges since the conflict became public.
Court documents list both Harry and Dyer as defendants in a claim alleging libel or slander. However, specific statements at the centre of the case have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Sentebale, which was established in 2006 in memory of Princess Diana, focuses on supporting young people affected by HIV and AIDS in southern Africa. The organisation insists that the legal action is necessary to protect its operations and partnerships, emphasising that the costs of the case are being covered by external funding rather than charitable resources.
In response, a spokesperson for Harry argued that it is concerning for the charity to pursue legal action against individuals who played a key role in its creation and long-term support.
The dispute follows an earlier investigation by the Charity Commission, which found no evidence of widespread misconduct but concluded that public disagreements between both sides had negatively impacted the organisation’s reputation.
Sources note the legal battle has personally affected Harry, who was involved with Sentebale for nearly 20 years.
As proceedings continue, the case adds to a growing list of legal challenges involving the Duke, including previous claims against major media organisations.
