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EntertainmentPosted at: Apr 1 2025 6:31PM


Prince Harry's Sentebale exit spotlights Meghan Markle's viral polo moment

London, Apr 1 (UNI) Prince Harry's abrupt departure from Sentebale, the philanthropic initiative he co-founded in 2006, has reignited scrutiny over a seemingly innocuous yet consequential moment at a 2024 polo event, one revolving around Meghan Markle and the charity's chairwoman, Tsitsi Chandauka.
On March 26, the Duke of Sussex, 40 and his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, announced their withdrawal as patrons, citing an irreparable breakdown in governance. The decision sent shockwaves amid reports of internal discord and financial instability, according to a report by PEOPLE.
During the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in April 2024, held in Wellington, Florida, a seemingly trivial on-stage moment took an outsized significance. During the trophy presentation, footage captures Meghan, 43, subtly gesturing for Chandauka to reposition herself. The chairwoman, seemingly caught off guard, awkwardly ducks under the trophy, complying with the Duchess's unspoken directive.
In a March 29 interview with the Financial Times, Chandauka claimed that the photo moment with Meghan sparked tensions with Prince Harry, which later escalated. According to her, the Duke of Sussex urged her to publicly address the incident, but she refused. "I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine," Chandauka told the outlet.
The rift deepened when Prince Harry allegedly contacted Chandauka directly, demanding that she "explain herself" and publicly address the viral incident.
According to The Telegraph, sources described the message as “unpleasant” in tone and “imperious” in language, leaving Chandauka uncomfortable and further straining an already tense situation.
A source close to Sentebale patrons and trustees told PEOPLE that the dispute is rooted in governance concerns, not personal grievances. Regarding the specific instance Chandauka referenced, the source says they cannot comment on the details but stresses that they "only ever want the truth to be shared."
Chandauka, who assumed her role as Sentebale's chairwoman in July 2023, is now embroiled in a legal battle with the charity. According to a Sentebale insider, under her tenure, the organisation experienced significant financial strain, despite being financially stable before her appointment in July 2023.
After the board of trustees asked Chandauka, who took on the leadership role in July 2023, to resign, she lodged a lawsuit against the charity, which supports young people in Lesotho and Botswana. The Charity Commission in the U.K. confirmed they are investigating.
Last week, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, 58, issued a joint statement to announce the "devastating" decision that they were stepping down as patrons of Sentebale, supporting the trustees who resigned over fallout with Chandauka. The friends created the organisation in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mother 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso.
"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. 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," they said, in part.
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