Encouragement may be building for Prince Harry as the legal battle surrounding his charity seemingly edges in his favor.

Sentebale chair Sophie Chandauka is now facing mounting doubts over her decision to pursue a defamation claim against the Duke through the nonprofit, with fresh reports suggesting the case may not favor her.

The situation appears to have shifted significantly after the Charity Commission declined to uphold earlier allegations she had made against Harry. With regulatory backing no longer aligning with her claims, the high-stakes legal move now risks turning into a costly misstep.

Prince Harry Boosted As Key Claim Falls Apart

The UK Charity Commission has undercut a key claim Chandauka made in her dispute with Harry. The fallout between the pair dates back to March 2025, when the Duke and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down from Sentebale in a dramatic exit.

Since then, the situation has escalated, with Harry now facing a high-stakes defamation lawsuit brought through the organization, which Chandauka currently leads.

At the center of the dispute is a claim tied to the Charity Commission’s investigation into Sentebale following Harry’s resignation. The regulator found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny, or misogynoir within the organization.

According to Feminegra, that conclusion directly contradicts Chandauka’s earlier public assertion that she and other members of the charity experienced “harassment and bullying at scale” during Harry’s involvement.

Lawsuit Against Prince Harry Draws Concern From Beneficiaries

Criticism is also mounting around Chandauka, with some voices warning that the lawsuit risks pulling focus away from the charity’s core mission. With the UK Charity Commission findings failing to support her earlier claims, the executive now faces a steeper challenge in proving her case against Harry in court.

That concern is being echoed on the ground in Lesotho, where some beneficiaries of Sentebale’s work have openly questioned the legal move.

While Sentebale has previously stated that its operational funds are not being used to pursue the case, that assurance has done little to ease concerns that attention is being diverted from those the charity was created to serve.

Chandauka Faces Criticism From Ex-Colleagues

Chandauka may also face headwinds from her past colleagues as the case moves toward trial. Multiple witnesses are expected to testify for both sides, but if former associates take the stand, their accounts may not work in her favor.

Research cited by The Times indicates that some ex-colleagues at Sentebale viewed Chandauka as a “dominating” leader who struggled to accept criticism. They also alleged that she frequently micromanaged operations, blurred professional boundaries, and initiated “white elephant” projects that were never fully completed.

Similar concerns have reportedly surfaced in connection with her leadership at Nandi Life Sciences, a biotech firm she co-founded with her brother.

According to one source, Chandauka could be “harsh” in her management style and would at times “yell” at staff when issues arose.

Sentebale Loses Donors Amid Harry Fallout

The fallout between Harry and Chandauka is already beginning to hit Sentebale where it matters most. The charity had long benefited from donor confidence tied in part to his global profile and philanthropic track record, including his work with the Invictus Games Foundation.

But with the Duke no longer involved and uncertainty surrounding the organization’s leadership, that confidence appears to be wavering.

According to The Times, several longstanding international donors have “cooled or fallen away” in recent months. In at least one case, a major donor relationship was reportedly cut off abruptly after a single meeting.

Prince Harry Rejected The Defamation Claims

Harry has firmly pushed back against the defamation claims brought against him. Chandauka, acting through Sentebale, filed the lawsuit last month, though details only became public in early April.

According to Sky News, the Duke of Sussex was named in the filing alongside Mark Dyer, a longtime associate and trustee of the charity. The suit accuses Harry of coordinating an “adverse media campaign” against the organization and its leadership, alleging that his actions were intended to undermine relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders.

It further claims that the alleged campaign forced the charity to divert time and resources into managing what it described as a reputational crisis “not of the charity’s making.”

In response, a spokesperson for Harry and Dyer dismissed the allegations outright, stating that they “categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims.”