The Charity Commission found no evidence of "widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir," following an investigation

NEED TO KNOW

• The Charity Commission of the U.K. has released the results of a probe into Sentebale, the charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho

• The Charity Commission found no evidence of "widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity" or " 'over-reach' by either the chair or the Duke of Sussex as patron"

• However, a source tells PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso see no way back to the charity while Chandauka remains chair

Prince Harry is speaking out following the conclusion of an investigation into the nonprofit he co-founded nearly two decades ago alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho — and says that despite being cleared, the damage is already done.

On Aug. 5, the Charity Commission for England and Wales announced it found no evidence of “widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir” at Sentebale, following an investigation into claims made by the charity’s current chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

The Commission also found no "overreach" by either Chandauka or Prince Harry, 40, who stepped down as Sentebale’s patron in March following what he described as a breakdown in leadership.

However, the Commission criticized all sides for allowing the conflict "to play out publicly" and cited poor internal governance and a "failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charity’s reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally."

In a statement responding to the findings, a spokesperson for Prince Harry said, "Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebale’s Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair."

"Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chair’s actions will not be borne by her — but by the children who rely on Sentebale’s support," the spokesperson continued.

A source tells PEOPLE that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso see no way back to the charity while Chanduka is in place, but that they are keeping their options open.

“Both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso are devastated by what has effectively been a hostile takeover by Sophie Chandauka," the source close to the former trustees and patrons says. "This was Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry’s life work. They established it 19 years ago and in that time put in blood, sweat and tears and their own money into building this charity up to what it was: a multi-million pound charity that delivered nothing but good for the beneficiary community that is supported in Lesotho and Botswana.”

Sentebale’s current board said it accepted the Charity Commission’s findings and committed to carrying out the regulator’s recommendations. In a statement, the organization said it supported the Commission’s Regulatory Action Plan issued to address their internal dispute policy, improve the charity’s complaints and whistleblowing procedures and establish clearer processes for delegating authority. The Commission will monitor progress in the Action Plan, which includes timescales.

Chandauka said, “I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions, which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025. The experience was intense, and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience."

Saying that Sentebale has continued to support young people in Lesotho and Botswana, Chandauka added, "I thank every dedicated colleague and the courageous new Board members who have stayed focused on the mission in the face of unprecedented media glare. The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private. We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact."

"Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our Founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato," she added. "To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation."

A source close to the former trustees found it "appalling" that Chandauka invoked the name of the founders and their late mothers in her statement "for her own good."

The Charity Commission announced on April 3 that it was launching a regulatory compliance case "to examine concerns raised" about Sentebale after Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso issued a shocking statement announcing that they were stepping down from their roles as Sentebale's patrons due to infighting within the organization. The exit stemmed from a breakdown in relations between Sentebale's chair, Chandauka, and board of trustees members, who also stepped down.

On March 27, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said in a joint statement, "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organisation 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."

The princes said that Sentebale's trustees asked Chandauka to step down, and she sued to remain chair.

Harry and Seeiso, 59, said they were "truly heartbroken" that the trustees felt forced to step down and added, "What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about. "

Chandauka spoke out in several interviews to share her side of the story, painting a different picture of the events that led to this point. In a March 29 interview with the Financial Times, the Zimbabwean corporate finance lawyer said her relationship with Prince Harry took a turn after she refused his team's request to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, after an awkward photo moment between them at a Sentebale event in April 2024 led to negative media coverage.

According to Chandauka, the Duke of Sussex urged her to publicly address the incident that unfolded during the trophy presentation ceremony at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida, but she refused. "I said no, we’re not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine," Chandauka said.

A source close to Sentebale patrons and trustees told PEOPLE that the dispute at the crux of the controversy is rooted in governance concerns, not personal grievances.

Chandauka was named Sentebale's chair in July 2023 after serving on its board from 2009 to 2015.

A Sentebale source familiar with the situation told PEOPLE at the time that the organization was in stable financial standing when she became chair, but the situation changed under her leadership.

Though the Charity Commission’s findings bring some closure, they also underscore just how much damage has been done, both to the charity’s public image and its founding partnership.

Regardless, the source tells PEOPLE that Prince Harry remains "absolutely dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana."

"How that happens, he will keep his options open. Whether that means raising money for pre-existing charities that are doing good work in those countries or establishing something independent and new," the source says. "It is very early days."

The source adds, “I’m positive that Prince Harry would want to work with Prince Seeiso again and deliver for Lesotho.”