LONDON, U.K.: Prince Harry has been sued for defamation by a charity in Africa he cofounded to honor his mother, the late Princess Diana, and one from which he stepped down as a patron last year.

Sentebale, a charity that helps young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, filed a case last month in London's High Court, according to court records seen on April 10. Online records show that Prince Harry and his friend Mark Dyer, a former trustee, are being sued for either libel or slander, though no detailed documents were available.

In a statement on its website, Sentebale said it is seeking the court's help, protection, and compensation after what it described as a coordinated negative media campaign since March 25, 2025. The charity said this campaign has disrupted its work and harmed its reputation, as well as that of its leaders and partners.

A spokesperson for Harry and Dyer said they completely deny these serious and harmful claims.

This case puts the Duke of Sussex in an unusual position, as he is now a defendant in the High Court. Over the past three years, he has mostly been the one filing lawsuits, especially against major British tabloids, accusing them of phone hacking and illegal surveillance.

Harry started Sentebale about 20 years ago in memory of his mother, who worked to support HIV and AIDS treatment and reduce stigma. He co-founded it with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

Problems within the charity began in 2023 over a new fundraising plan. In March 2025, both founders stepped down as patrons to support trustees who had resigned. At the time, they said the relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, had completely broken down. Later, Chandauka accused Harry of leading a campaign of bullying and harassment to push her out.

As the conflict continued, Chandauka told Sky News that filming for one of Harry's Netflix shows disrupted a planned fundraiser, and that an incident involving his wife, Meghan, also caused tension.

The Charity Commission for England and Wales looked into the matter. It criticized both sides for letting the dispute become public and damage the charity's image, but found no proof of widespread bullying or misogyny.

In August 2025, the commission's CEO, David Holdsworth, said the public dispute had hurt the charity's reputation, distracted from its achievements, and risked affecting its ability to help the people it was meant to support.