Photos rare of Harry’s children emerge amid ex-staffer’s abuse claims

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle recently shared rare glimpses of their children, five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, in a move that has captivated royal watchers. The images, released amid Meghan’s new professional ventures, feature the couple in a garden setting and on a boat outing, offering a peek into their family life in Montecito, California. However, the heartwarming photos coincide with a brewing storm involving Harry and Sentebale, the charity he co-founded 19 years ago in Lesotho. Dr. Sophie Chandauka, the organization’s chair and a former friend, has publicly accused Harry of widespread bullying and harassment, alleging he unleashed the “Sussex machine” against her following his exit from the NGO. The explosive claims, aired in a televised interview, come just weeks after Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso announced their departure from Sentebale, leaving the charity—dedicated to orphaned children and HIV-positive youth—in disarray. As the couple showcases their children, the allegations threaten to overshadow their carefully curated image, igniting debates about Harry’s leadership and the Sussex brand’s integrity.

Sentebale, established in 2006, was a cornerstone of Harry’s humanitarian efforts, born from a collaboration with Seeiso and inspired by their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen ‘Mamohato. For nearly two decades, it symbolized Harry’s commitment to vulnerable communities, but his sudden exit has sparked controversy. Chandauka, who took the helm in July 2023, claims Harry’s public announcement of his resignation—without prior notice to the charity’s leadership—was a deliberate attack. She described it as an act of intimidation that reverberated across Sentebale’s 540 employees, thrusting the organization into unwanted media scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Meghan’s decision to reveal Archie and Lilibet marks a shift from the couple’s previous privacy stance, which they cited as a key reason for stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Her launch of the American Riviera Orchard brand and a TV show on wellness and cooking has prompted a more open approach, with the children now appearing in carefully staged moments. Observers speculate this could be a strategic move to counter the negative fallout from Chandauka’s accusations.

• Children featured: Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, in rare public photos.
• Serious allegations: Chandauka accuses Harry of bullying and harassment.
• Charity in turmoil: Sentebale faces crisis after Harry’s exit.

What did Harry’s ex-friend reveal?

Dr. Sophie Chandauka didn’t hold back when she spoke out against Harry. During an interview on Sky Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, she accused the prince of deploying the so-called “Sussex machine” to undermine her and Sentebale. She claimed that Harry’s decision to go public with his resignation, bypassing internal communication, blindsided the organization’s leadership. “It was an attack,” she asserted, arguing that the move exposed all 540 staff members to intense scrutiny and amounted to “bullying and harassment on a grand scale.” Her words sent shockwaves through the media, casting a shadow over Harry’s reputation as a philanthropist.

When Phillips pressed her to explain the “Sussex machine,” Chandauka elaborated that it refers to the robust public relations apparatus backing Harry and Meghan’s endeavors. She alleged this team orchestrated press coverage of Harry’s exit, leaving Sentebale’s leadership to learn of it through newspapers rather than direct dialogue. “The only way we found out was through the Sussex machine activating the papers,” she said, framing it as a calculated power play. Her accusations paint Harry as someone who wields influence recklessly, a stark contrast to his public persona.

Chandauka’s critique grew sharper as she labeled the Sussex brand “toxic,” suggesting that Harry’s actions have damaged Sentebale’s credibility. She went on to say, “There are people who act as if they’re above the law, mistreat others, and then play the victim while using the press they claim to despise to harm those who challenge them.” The remarks, aimed squarely at Harry, have fueled speculation about his conduct behind the scenes of his charitable work.

The unraveling of Sentebale

Harry and Seeiso’s departure from Sentebale wasn’t a sudden whim. Tensions had been simmering within the charity for months, erupting publicly when the co-founders stepped down on March 26. In a joint statement, they expressed being “truly devastated” to leave but cited irreparable friction with Chandauka as the reason. She, in turn, accused Harry of trying to oust her through intimidation after she resisted his demands. One flashpoint came during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida in April 2024, where Meghan’s interaction with Chandauka—asking her to step aside for a photo—sparked online backlash. Chandauka claims Harry later pressured her to issue a supportive statement about Meghan, a request she rejected, arguing Sentebale shouldn’t serve as a PR tool for the Sussexes.

That refusal reportedly infuriated Harry, who sent what Chandauka called an “unpleasant and imperious” message demanding answers. The rift widened, leading to the founders’ exit and her subsequent public accusations. Now, the Charity Commission, the UK’s regulator for nonprofits, is investigating Sentebale’s governance, prompted by concerns over leadership disputes. The probe could result in audits or penalties, depending on what it uncovers about the internal conflicts.

Sentebale’s mission—to support orphans and HIV-affected children in Lesotho and Botswana—hangs in the balance. Once a beacon of Harry’s goodwill, the charity now grapples with a tarnished image and an uncertain future, caught in the crossfire of personal and professional disputes.

Rare glimpses of Archie and Lilibet

Amid the Sentebale fallout, Meghan and Harry chose to share intimate family moments. One photo shows Meghan embracing Archie and Lilibet in their Montecito garden, a serene scene that contrasts sharply with the ongoing controversy. Another captures Harry with Lilibet on a boat, highlighting their bond during a casual outing. These images, posted on social media, mark a departure from the couple’s earlier reluctance to expose their children, a stance rooted in their 2020 decision to leave royal life for privacy.

The timing aligns with Meghan’s expanding ventures. Her American Riviera Orchard brand, featuring products like strawberry jam, and her new TV show on cooking and wellness signal a pivot toward a more public persona. Showcasing Archie and Lilibet fits this narrative, offering a softer side of the Sussexes as they navigate professional reinvention. Some see it as a calculated effort to shift attention from Chandauka’s claims, reinforcing their family-oriented image.

• Archie, 5: Pictured with Meghan in the garden.
• Lilibet, 3: Seen with Harry on a boat trip.
• New openness: Sussexes move away from privacy-first approach.

Sentebale’s origins and struggles

Sentebale traces its roots to 2006, when Harry, inspired by a gap-year visit to Lesotho in 2004, teamed up with Seeiso to honor their mothers’ legacies. Named “Sentebale,” meaning “forget me not” in Sesotho, the charity aimed to uplift orphans and HIV-positive youth in Southern Africa. Over the years, it reached over 500,000 beneficiaries and employed 540 staff, bolstered by high-profile events like the Sentebale Polo Cup, which drew donors tied to Harry’s royal status. His involvement was a fundraising magnet, cementing the NGO’s place in his humanitarian portfolio.

However, the 2020 “Megxit” shift—when Harry and Meghan left the UK—strained Sentebale’s finances. Chandauka claims the Sussex brand’s “toxicity” scared off sponsors, a charge Harry’s allies refute, pointing to his $1.5 million donation from “Spare” proceeds. The current crisis, fueled by leadership clashes, risks undoing nearly two decades of impact, with 2023 revenue already down 10% amid global economic challenges.

The Charity Commission’s scrutiny adds pressure. If governance failures are confirmed, Sentebale could face restrictions or loss of donor trust, jeopardizing its programs for Africa’s most vulnerable children.

How Harry and Meghan are responding

Harry has yet to address Chandauka’s allegations head-on. A spokesperson declined to comment on specifics, but close associates labeled her claims “baseless” and “misleading.” They argue that Harry’s exit stemmed from genuine governance concerns under Chandauka’s tenure, not a desire to harm. Meghan, meanwhile, has stayed active online, promoting her brand and sharing family photos, sidestepping the Sentebale drama entirely. The silence from the couple suggests a strategy of weathering the storm while focusing on their next chapter.

Critics see this as a dodge, noting that Harry’s lack of rebuttal leaves Chandauka’s narrative unchallenged. Supporters, however, say the investigation will vindicate him, pointing to his long history with Sentebale as proof of his commitment. For now, the Sussexes appear intent on letting their actions—family photos and new projects—speak louder than the controversy.

Ripple effects of the accusations

Chandauka’s claims hit harder than just Harry’s reputation—they threaten Sentebale’s survival. The charity’s 10% revenue drop in 2023 was already a warning sign, and this public feud could deter future donors wary of instability. Programs supporting Lesotho and Botswana’s youth, from HIV education to mental health services, now face uncertainty as the organization battles its image crisis.

The broader fallout touches the Sussex brand itself. Once champions of transparency in their royal exit, Harry and Meghan now face accusations mirroring the dysfunction they fled. The irony fuels tabloid headlines, while the photos of Archie and Lilibet offer a counter-narrative that may not fully offset the damage.

Timeline of the Sentebale saga

The clash unfolded over months, with key moments shaping the current standoff. In April 2024, the Florida polo event sowed seeds of discord between Chandauka and the Sussexes. Tensions escalated into 2025, culminating in Harry and Seeiso’s March 26 resignation. Chandauka’s March 30 TV interview turned a private rift into a global story, spotlighting Harry’s leadership.

• April 2024: Meghan-Chandauka clash at polo event in Florida.
• Early 2025: Internal disputes flare within Sentebale.
• March 26: Harry and Seeiso step down from the charity.
• March 30: Chandauka accuses Harry of bullying on Sky News.

Harry’s defenders fight back

Allies of Harry push back against Chandauka’s narrative. They claim she faced internal criticism for mismanagement, including allegations of altering meeting minutes and intimidating staff—issues now under Charity Commission review. They say Harry and Seeiso left to safeguard Sentebale’s mission, not to sabotage it, citing his $1.5 million “Spare” donation as evidence of dedication. The investigation, they argue, will expose Chandauka’s leadership flaws, clearing Harry’s name.

The counter-claims highlight a bitter power struggle, with Harry’s camp framing Chandauka as the aggressor. As the inquiry unfolds, both sides await vindication, but the charity remains caught in the crossfire.

Meghan and Harry’s next chapter

Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard is gaining traction, with its strawberry jam already a hit among influencers. Her TV show, blending cooking and lifestyle, positions her as a domestic tastemaker, and the inclusion of Archie and Lilibet in this narrative strengthens her appeal. For Harry, the Sentebale exit marks a break from his royal past, but the allegations complicate his humanitarian legacy.

As they build this new phase, the couple leans on family imagery to reshape public perception. Whether it can eclipse the Sentebale scandal remains unclear, but their focus on personal projects signals resilience amid adversity.