Sentebale Charity Drops Polo Matches After Prince Harry Resigns

Sentebale, the African charity co-founded by Prince Harry in 2006, has discontinued its annual polo matches as a key fundraising activity following a series of controversies involving the Duke of Sussex. The charity's decision comes after Prince Harry resigned as patron amid allegations of harassment, misogyny, racism, and bullying made by the new chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, which also led to several trustees stepping down. Polo events, particularly the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, had contributed significantly to the charity's finances, accounting for 18% of funds last year, but high costs and logistical challenges, including a last-minute venue change and illness-related postponements, led to revenue losses. Sentebale is now focusing on reducing its dependence on high-profile individuals and events, aiming to cut annual costs by around £1 million and attract more organizational investment instead. Trustees highlighted that Prince Harry’s £1.2 million donation from his memoir "Spare" masked underlying financial weaknesses and a narrow donor base that had generated losses since 2017. These changes are part of a broader rebranding effort as Sentebale approaches its 20th anniversary, seeking long-term financial stability and reduced reliance on celebrity-driven fundraising.