A charity founded by Prince Harry has filed a defamation lawsuit against him in London’s High Court, accusing him of being linked to what it described as a coordinated media campaign that damaged its reputation and disrupted its operations. The case also includes a former trustee, while Harry has firmly denied the allegations.
Details
The charity, established in 2006 in Africa to honor Princess Diana and support young people living with HIV in southern Africa, said the lawsuit aims to protect its work and restore its reputation following damage to its leadership and partnerships.
The dispute dates back to 2023, when tensions escalated within the board over fundraising strategy and governance. In March 2025, Harry and his co-founder resigned alongside several trustees after a sharp clash with the chair.
The fallout saw both sides exchange accusations of mismanagement and bullying, prompting the UK Charity Commission to open an investigation. Its report criticized both parties for taking the dispute public but found no evidence of widespread bullying within the organization.
The charity stated that legal costs are being fully covered by external funding, with no use of charitable funds, while Harry’s team stressed that the priority should remain on serving beneficiaries rather than legal disputes.
What’s Next?
The case is heading into legal proceedings in London, with close attention on whether it will reveal further details about the internal conflict and its impact on the charity’s work.
