London
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Africa has filed a defamation lawsuit against him following a dispute over its leadership and governance, according to court records in London.
The organisation, Sentebale, which supports young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, alleges that Harry and former trustee Mark Dyer made statements that caused reputational and operational harm. The case, filed in the High Court, involves claims of libel or slander.
Sentebale said the legal action follows a “coordinated adverse media campaign” that began in March 2025, which it claims disrupted operations and affected its leadership and partners. No detailed court filings have been made publicly available so far.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Dyer has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as “offensive and damaging,” and maintaining that the claims are without merit.
The dispute stems from internal disagreements within the charity that escalated in 2023 over governance and fundraising strategy. Both founders stepped down as patrons in 2025 after tensions between trustees and leadership intensified.
The situation further worsened after public accusations of bullying and mismanagement were exchanged between parties. A review by the Charity Commission for England and Wales criticised all sides for allowing the conflict to become public, though it found no evidence of systemic misconduct.
The case marks a rare instance of legal action against Prince Harry, who has previously been involved primarily as a claimant in privacy-related lawsuits against British media organisations.
