Prince Harry’s used to courtiers doing everything for him – it’s no wonder charity blew up, claims expert
PRINCE Harry is used to courtiers doing everything for him and it’s no wonder his charity blew up, a royal expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex sensationally stepped down as a patron of Sentebale, a foundation he co-founded in 2006, amid a row over CEO Dr Sophie Chandauka’s leadership.
The chairwoman alleged the board of trustees was characterised by “weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, and misogynoir”.
Harry quit, alongside co-founder Prince Seesio of Lesotho in support, but has also been accused of bullying and harassment.
The Charity Commission watchdog is investigating.
In a statement, Harry said: “We fully expect the inquiry will unveil the truth.”
It comes as the Duke, 40, claimed his police protection was removed as part of a shadowy plot to trap him in the Royal Family.
He is attempting to sue the Home Office because it refused to spend taxpayers’ money on bodyguards after he left the Firm amid Megxit in 2020.
Esther Krakue, royal commentator, told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show it’s not a surprise some of the accusations laid at Harry’s door.
The charity supports sufferers of HIV and Aids in Africa, but Dr Chandauka alleged she had to try and talk the Duke into visiting Lesotho, where it’s based, when she took over in 2023.
Ms Krakue said: “The fact that it was revealed he hadn’t even been to Sub-Saharan Africa, to Lesotho, in five years, this charity that he started, was quite shocking.
“I think you’re one of those people that starts something, puts your name on it, gets a few rich friends and then basically ignores it and lets the little people in Lesotho and Botswana run it.”
Of his row with Dr Chandauka, she said “somehow he had this clash with a chairwoman who seems to be doing things, at least”.
“For me it was a very bad look. I just thought you’re not a royal anymore.
“You can’t just do that, you can’t just attach your face to things and expect it to blow up and be like ‘oh, I’ve done a good deed’.
“You actually have to put in the work. If you run a charity somewhere you should at least make that charity part of your work.
“You should be there regularly, every few months at least. Have regular correspondence.
“This management from afar doesn’t really work.
“Especially because he doesn’t know how to manage – his life is managed for him.
“He’s always had these courtiers to do everything.”
In reference to Harry and Meghan improving their image in the UK and across the world, Ms Krakue added: “These are the things I really think they should consider and taking seriously if they have any hope of redemption.”
Court battle
A two-day hearing last week sat partly in private to hear confidential evidence surrounding Harry’s battle with the Home Office over protection.
The 40-year-old duke was said to be unhappy with what he heard.
As he left the Royal Courts of Justice, Harry told The Telegraph “people would be shocked by what’s being held back”.
He added that his “worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and that’s really sad”.
Harry suggested the decision was an attempt to prevent him and his wife Meghan Markle from quitting as working royals and moving abroad.
Buckingham Palace sources have strongly denied this claim.
Harry said: “We were trying to create this happy house.”
Now the former head of Scotland Yard’s Royal Protection has said Harry was “talking complete nonsense”.
Dai Davies told The Mail on Sunday Harry and Meghan’s “security arrangements in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis”.
He said: “He is given a liaison officer who has access to the most up to date intelligence reports.
“The idea that he needs 24/7 armed protection is ridiculous – so too is the idea that Britain is unsafe for him.
“This new argument that he is advancing is frankly bizarre. It was a Ravec decision, pure and simple – nothing to do with the Royal Family.”
What level of security protection are working royals entitled to?
A HANDFUL of working members of the Royal Family have 24/7 protection – but others are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Senior officers are assigned to specific members of the household and are supported by others, one expert told The Sun.
He claimed there will always be a minimum of one protection officer with a member of the Royal Family, but the protection team is increased according to threat and risk.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Wales’ family have round-the-clock protection and the monarch also has a corridor officer based outside his bedroom door, the expert said.
The likes of Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex are given protection when they are taking part in official engagements – but do not have taxpayer-funded security at their homes.
Prince Andrew had his taxpayer-funded security removed following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
His daughters Princess Beatrice and Prince Eugenie are said to not have funded security as they are not full-time working royals – and are employed elsewhere.
Robert Jobson, an award-winning royal author, explained: “According to a 1917 Letters of Patent issued by King George V, the title of HRH Prince or Princess is passed to ‘The grandchildren of the sons of any such sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have and enjoy in all occasions the style and title enjoyed by the children of dukes of this realm.’
“Both Harry and Meghan know this. Archie, on the other hand, did not qualify to become a prince automatically.
“In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II issued a Letters Patent to expand on a previous decree that granted such a title only to the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.”