Prince Harry first founded the organization Cabal with Prince Seeiso in 2006 as a heartfelt tribute to Princess Diana.
They named it "Forget Me Not" to honor Diana’s favorite flower, a choice that touched countless hearts and symbolized her enduring legacy. At the time, it felt like a moment of triumph, one that would have made Diana immensely proud. However, the current state of affairs paints a very different picture.
Richard Miller, the chief executive, has just joined a growing list of senior departures. He follows Andrew Tucker, a long-serving senior figure of over a decade, and Baroness Linda Chalker, who resigned as a director after an impressive 18 years of service. It’s hard to dismiss these exits as coincidental. People don’t walk away from nearly two decades of dedication unless something significant is amiss. While Harry and Prince Seeiso are presenting this as a planned transition to local leadership, the timing and frequency of these resignations suggest otherwise.
This is not just about leadership changes. When an organization loses this many experienced staff members in rapid succession, it signals deeper issues. It’s akin to a restaurant abruptly closing for “renovations”—most people can see through the euphemism. What’s even more intriguing is the broader context: Harry and Meghan are simultaneously grappling with setbacks in Hollywood. Their Netflix projects are underwhelming, the Spotify deal has fallen apart, and now their charitable endeavors appear to be unraveling as well. The contrast with Prince William and Princess Catherine’s Royal Foundation couldn’t be starker.
Under William and Catherine’s leadership, their foundation thrives with clear vision, stable management, and a positive work environment. Staff retention is high, which reflects a culture of respect and empowerment. Meanwhile, the Cambridges focus on tangible impact—Catherine’s early childhood initiatives are yielding real results, and William’s Earthshot Prize is driving innovative environmental solutions. They’ve proven that leadership isn’t about basking in the spotlight; it’s about creating meaningful change.
Returning to Cabal, the situation raises serious concerns about governance and stability. When a charity’s leadership falters, it doesn’t just disrupt operations—it threatens its very mission. Regulatory scrutiny often follows such turmoil, and questions of accountability arise. Harry left the royal family to pursue greater freedom for his charitable work, but it’s beginning to feel like every venture he touches falters. It’s a tragic irony that his vision for transformative change is overshadowed by organizational instability.
And where is Meghan in all this? Once a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and humanitarian causes, her recent activities—polo matches, cooking shows, and Netflix appearances—seem to lack the depth of her earlier commitments. The decline in their charitable ventures only highlights this shift. It’s a far cry from Princess Diana’s legacy, which was defined by her hands-on approach and genuine passion for change. Diana wasn’t afraid to get involved, whether hugging AIDS patients or walking through landmine fields.
The fallout from Cabal’s instability doesn’t just affect the organization—it reverberates across the charity sector. Donors lose trust, skepticism increases, and those in need suffer the most. Financial implications are equally dire; charities rely on skilled, experienced leadership to raise funds and maintain donor confidence. With Cabal hemorrhaging talent, it’s unclear how it can continue to meet its commitments.
The silence from other major charities is telling. Normally, high-profile organizations receive support from peers during leadership transitions. But in this case, there’s an eerie absence of solidarity. The contrast with the charitable work of King Charles and Princess Anne is striking. Their initiatives, like The Prince’s Trust and Save the Children, exemplify steady leadership and consistent impact.
At the heart of this lies a missed opportunity. Harry had the platform, resources, and goodwill to make a profound difference. Instead, his focus seems divided between Hollywood ambitions and personal grievances, leaving little room for meaningful impact. When a charity loses its way, the people who suffer most are those it was created to help. For Cabal, this includes vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in Botswana—individuals who relied on the organization’s support.
Recovering from this level of upheaval will be no small feat. Losing so much institutional knowledge and senior leadership in such a short period is akin to sailing a ship without a crew. While William and Catherine expand their charitable initiatives and strengthen their impact, Harry and Meghan face the monumental task of rebuilding trust and credibility. For now, their brand feels like a crumbling house of cards—fragile, unstable, and exposed to the slightest breeze.
