Sentebale pauses defamation case against Prince Harry amid financial strain

Sentebale has paused its High Court defamation case against Prince Harry after both sides agreed to extend the deadlines for court filings.

The claim followed a dispute inside the charity, which Harry co-founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

Sentebale’s trustees accused Harry of helping organise an adverse media campaign that caused operational and reputational harm; he has reportedly said he wants the case to go to trial.

The charity’s annual income fell to £2.024 million, and its net assets dropped from £567,000 to £250,000.

The dispute grew out of boardroom divisions over fundraising and finances, and led to the resignations of Harry, Prince Seeiso and other trustees in March 2025.

The Charity Commission found no evidence for specific allegations made by the former chair, but criticised all parties for taking the dispute into public view and identified weak governance.

The pause delays court filings and keeps the claim’s details from public release for now, while the charity faces pressure to protect funds for its work supporting young people in southern Africa.