Last year, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso jointly stepped down as patrons of Sentebale.
In the aftermath, the charity was embroiled in a dispute involving allegations of misogynoir, bullying, and poor management.
Chair Sophie Chandauka accused Harry of bullying and disputed claims made about her leadership. She further alleged that Harry and his wife sought to use the charity in ways that were not in line with its founding philosophy.
These allegations have been contested, and the dispute has attracted significant public attention.
Following the tumultuous months after Harry and Seeiso’s departure, new financial figures suggest that the charity has continued attracting support.
Yes, its funding sources have shifted significantly, but Sentebale reportedly managed to raise more in donations than in the previous year.
Sentebale Charity Promises To Use Every Donation To Further Its Mission
Named after the Sesotho word for “forget-me-not,” Sentebale was founded in 2006 to help children living in poverty and affected by HIV in Southern Africa. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso established the charity in memory of their mothers.
Recently, the charity released its annual financial figures, showing that it managed to bring in £342,000 in donations, nearly £50,000 more than in 2024.
However, while donations increased, the charity’s overall financial picture is more complicated. Total income reportedly fell to £2.02 million in 2025, compared with approximately £2.5 million the previous year.
The charity’s annual report emphasized commercial discipline, cost control, and making the most of every donation.
While Sentebale was able to attract more donations, its event income fell sharply from £715,000 to £70,000.
This suggests that the charity’s polo matches, in which Harry participated, were an important source of fundraising revenue. However, the comparison covers reporting periods of different lengths, so the figures need to be considered carefully.
At the same time, the charity has been working to reduce costs and diversify its funding sources.
As previously reported, Prince Harry’s departure sparked another dispute over Princess Diana’s legacy.
Chandauka previously attributed some fundraising difficulties to Harry’s public image, describing his brand as a risk to the organization. Harry has denied the allegations made against him.
The disagreement eventually escalated into legal action, with Sentebale filing a defamation lawsuit against Prince Harry.
The controversy also attracted attention beyond the charity itself, with further reporting on the legal dispute and its impact on Sentebale.
Despite Harry and Seeiso departing from the charity, its mission remains the same.
Sentebale continues to work with young people and their communities to develop sustainable solutions addressing health, economic inequality, and climate resilience.
Editor’s Take
The increase in donations following Prince Harry’s departure is certainly interesting, especially considering the very public disagreement surrounding Sentebale.
However, the sharp decline in event income shows just how important Harry’s fundraising activities were to the organization.
The charity may be attracting new donors, but it still faces financial challenges. Ultimately, its ability to support vulnerable children and young people matters more than the dispute between its former patrons and current leadership.
Do you think Sentebale can rebuild its fundraising efforts without Prince Harry, or will losing his royal connections continue to hurt the charity?
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with The Royal Family right now. Come back here often for all The Royal Family news and updates.