A RETURN TO BATTLE

Prince Harry's latest fight - for his most beloved charity - leaves him 'reeling' and 'distraught'

- EMILY NASH

It is one of the most challenging periods that the Duke of Sussex has faced since his split from the Royal Family in 2020. No stranger to controversy, Prince Harry, 40, now finds himself at the centre of an unprecedented public-relations crisis after a bitter dispute led to his resignation from Sentebale – the beloved charity he co-founded in memory of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales – last month.

The developments have been “heartbreaking,” the royal dad of two confessed in an impassioned statement, in which he expressed hope that the truth will be revealed – and his name cleared – now that an official inquiry is underway.

CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE

Harry was inspired to create Sentebale back in 2005, after he helped care for youth affected by HIV-AIDS during a life-changing gap-year stay in Lesotho. He served as co-founder and patron, along with Prince Seeiso – whose brother rules the African kingdom – until last month, raising millions for the cause through charity polo matches and other high-profile efforts. The duke even donated £1.5 million of the profits from his memoir, Spare, to the organization.

Today, Sentebale also operates in Botswana, implementing various programs aimed at improving the lives of young people affected by HIV-AIDS and poverty.

But last month, both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, 58, shockingly stepped down in solidarity with the board of trustees after “losing confidence” in Sentebale chair Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

Devastated by the turn of events, the royals issued a joint statement, saying, “Nearly 20 years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers. Sentebale means ‘forget me not’ in Sesotho – the local language of Lesotho – and it’s what we've always promised for the young people we've served through this charity.”