The Duke of Sussex says he hopes the Charity Commission will "unveil the truth" as the watchdog announced an investigation into the bitter dispute surrounding the Sentebale 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," said Prince Harry. The watchdog said it had opened a case to examine "concerns raised" about Sentebale, following claims made by its head Sophie Chandauka. Ms Chandauka told the BBC she welcomed the move by the commission, which comes after she said she had "blown the whistle" on issues including bullying and harassment.

Britain’s charity regulator has opened an investigation into an African charity co-founded by Prince Harry, a week after the prince and the organization’s board of trustees resigned amid a dispute with the charity’s chairwoman. Sentebale, which provides support for young people in Botswana and Lesotho, has been wracked by turmoil since Harry and his co-founder abruptly resigned March 26, saying the relationship between the board and its chair was beyond repair. Chair Sophie Chandauka later accused the prince of orchestrating a campaign of bullying and harassment to try to force her out. The Charity Commission said Thursday that it was in “direct contact” with parties on both sides to gather evidence in its compliance case.

Prince Harry said he hoped the Charity Commission would uncover “the truth” about a bitter boardroom battle after it opened a case into the concerns that have been raised. The watchdog said it was now in direct contact with those involved, “to gather evidence” and assess whether the charity and its trustees past and present had fulfilled their legal duties. The Duke and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, his co-founder, quit last month, alongside the trustees, after “unthinkable” infighting within the organisation. There have been claims and counter-claims of racism, bullying and mismanagement. The Duke said in a statement: “From the inception of Sentebale nearly 20 years ago, Prince Seeiso and I have had a clear goal: to support the children and young people in Southern Africa in memory of our mothers.