Overview
- The High Court defamation proceedings were paused on Monday after Sentebale and Prince Harry agreed to extend the deadlines for the acknowledgement of service and the defence, which keeps the charity’s full particulars confidential.
- Sentebale’s trustees say the claim accuses Harry of orchestrating a coordinated adverse media campaign that caused operational disruption and reputational harm to the charity.
- Prince Harry and a spokesperson have rejected the allegations and he has signalled he is prepared to defend the case at trial, a stance that could leave the charity liable for both sides’ legal costs if it loses.
- The charity’s audited accounts show a marked financial decline with total income down, event revenue collapsing from about £715,000 to roughly £70,000 and general reserves moving into a circa £10,000 deficit.
- The Charity Commission’s earlier report faulted all parties for taking the dispute public and the regulator’s scrutiny and falling funds have raised concerns that continued litigation could undermine Sentebale’s programmes for young people in Lesotho and Botswana.