Prince Harry speaks out as UK Charity Commission launches Senetable probe after bullying accusations by Sophie Chandauka

Prince Harry has welcomed a probe into Sentebale by UK watchdog the Charity Commission after bullying accusations by chairwoman Sophie Chandauka.

The Duke of Sussex co-founded the African charity which provides support for young people in Botswana and Lesotho, along with Prince Seeiso of Lesetho nearly 20 years ago in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana.

Now, Britain’s charity regulator has opened an investigation into Sentebale a week after the royals and other trustees resigned due to a dispute with the charity’s chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka.

READ MORE: Meghan gets her mum to try new dessert inspired by her daughter

Prince Harry said he hopes the Charity Commission will uncover “the truth” about what caused him to resign as patron of the charity he co-founded.

“What has transpired over the last week has been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal,” he said in a statement.

“No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.”

Sentebale has been wracked by controversy since Prince Harry abruptly resigned on March 26, saying the relationship between the board and its chair was beyond repair.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s As Ever range sells out in less than an hour

Chandauka later accused the Duke of Sussex of orchestrating a bullying and harassment campaign to try to force her out.

The Charity Commission said on Thursday that it was in “direct contact” with parties on both sides to gather evidence in its compliance case.

“The regulator’s focus, in line with its statutory remit, will be to determine whether the charity’s current and former trustees, including its chair, have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law,” the commission said in a statement.

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Meghan’s life on Instagram: all her best posts so far

Chandauka took several shots at Harry in an interview with Sky News on Sunday, describing how his Netflix deal interfered with a scheduled fundraiser and how an incident with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, became a source of friction.

Meghan is yet to make any public remarks on the case, as she focuses on the launch of her As ever product range.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.