Dr. Sophie Chandoka has just thrown a massive wrench into the carefully constructed PR narrative of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. For years, the Sussexes have presented themselves as benevolent do-gooders, self-proclaimed champions of the oppressed, and perpetual victims of ruthless media scrutiny.
However, one of the very people who was once expected to be in their corner has now called them out in a way that is making waves. Dr. Chandoka, the chair of Sentebale, the African charity co-founded by Prince Harry, has made it clear that she is not here to serve as the Sussexes’ PR cleanup crew. In a scathing critique, she accused Harry of attempting to orchestrate the charity’s failure so he could step in and play the hero.The most shocking revelation, however, is that she outright refused to defend Meghan Markle in the media, even when directly asked to do so.
It is almost laughable to think that Meghan and Harry seemingly expected a charity to step in and do damage control for their public image. Sentebale’s mission has always been about helping vulnerable children in Africa, not boosting Meghan’s public persona. Imagine reaching out to a charity and essentially saying, "People are saying negative things about me—can you release a statement defending me?" The entitlement is staggering. Dr. Chandoka, a Zimbabwe-born lawyer with an impressive career, took one look at this absurd request and firmly declined, making it clear that Sentebale was not in the business of managing the Sussexes’ public relations.
With that, the cracks in their carefully maintained facade began to show. She also highlighted how Prince Harry’s association with the charity had become a liability, making it harder for Sentebale to carry out its mission. His mere presence was causing problems rather than helping, an ironic self-inflicted wound. Meanwhile, the entire Board of Trustees and royal patrons, including Harry himself, resigned in what can only be described as a mass exodus. Now, the UK Charity Commission is investigating what really happened behind the scenes.
Dr. Chandoka has not backed down, openly accusing those in power of disrespect, bullying, and intimidation. Given Harry’s own history of publicly calling out others for alleged bullying, the irony could not be more glaring. Meanwhile, Meghan’s PR strategies have also come under scrutiny. There are whispers that she wanted Dr. Chandoka to stand beside her at events purely for optics—ensuring that she had a Black woman in the frame to reinforce the image of diversity. If true, this performative gesture only adds to the growing skepticism about Meghan’s authenticity. No wonder Dr. Chandoka wanted nothing to do with it.
The broader implications of this controversy are significant. With Sentebale shifting its focus to Africa and away from UK-based leadership, it appears that Harry and Meghan’s influence over the charity was slipping, and they did not take kindly to it. On top of that, Sentebale’s fundraising efforts have reportedly struggled, likely because major donors do not want to associate with the increasingly controversial Sussex brand. If Harry was hoping for a PR boost to salvage their influence, it seems that plan has backfired spectacularly.
There is a poetic justice in all of this. The very couple who built their brand on exposing royal family drama and accusing others of controlling narratives are now being exposed for attempting to manipulate a charity for their own benefit. And now, one of the few people with real credibility in this entire saga—Dr. Sophie Chandoka—is standing her ground and refusing to play along.
