Prince Harry’s former charity limits nstagram comments
Prince Harry’s former charity has taken a calculated step on social media amid an ongoing controversy.
Sentebale, co-founded by Harry and Prince Seesio of Lethoso, addressed the move in a statement shared this Friday.
“Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily disable comments on this platform due to the harmful effects of recent targeted online harassment,” read the organisation’s statement shared via Instagram.
“Our focus remains on our mission and the communities we serve. We will not engage with misinformation or personal attacks here.”
The statement concluded by thanking “those who continue to support and follow the work of Sentebale.”
The princes founded the charity to honour their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, in 2006.
The organisation focuses on lifting up young people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Lesotho and southern Africa.
Earlier this year, the princes announced in March that they were making the “devastating” call to resign as patrons of Sentebale, per People Magazine.
In a joint statement at the time, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, “What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same,” they continued.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”
The princes’ statement concluded, “Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care.”
The trustees also stepped down after Sophie Chandauka threatened to take legal action against them for questioning whether she was the right choice to lead the organisation.
Harry also issued a statement amid the organisational infighting, saying, “No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.”
“On behalf of the former trustees and patrons, we share in the relief that the Charity Commission confirmed they will be conducting a robust inquiry,” he continued.
“We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign. We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.”
