Prince Harry has attracted attention after opting not to attend the wedding of his close friend, despite receiving an invitation. The Duke of Sussex was notably absent from Charles Vivian’s wedding held on the weekend of April 5, 2024 raising questions given their longstanding friendship.
Lord Vivian, 58, a public relations expert who has supported Harry over the years and assisted in organizing various charity projects in Africa, married Saweda Kamara at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Prince Harry’s absence was particularly noticeable as he had served as an usher at Vivian’s first wedding.
When queried about Harry’s absence, Lord Vivian told the Daily Mail: “I don’t know. He has a lot on.”
Sources close to the Duke indicated that security concerns were the main reason for his absence. “Security wasn’t provided for the visit, which makes attending events or moving around the UK very challenging,” one source explained.
The wedding coincided with Prince Harry’s unannounced trip to London, where he arrived on Sunday, April 6, for a Court of Appeal hearing related to his ongoing legal issues over security arrangements in the UK. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has been seeking to reinstate his taxpayer-funded police protection, which was reduced after his change in status.
During the court proceedings, Harry’s lawyer argued that his safety, security, and life were at stake without the highest level of police protection. The government has justified its decision, noting that Harry’s security clearance was modified, not entirely revoked, due to his change in status and relocation overseas. They claim a “bespoke” approach has been adopted for his protection.
Harry’s visit to the UK also coincided with a rare chance to see his father, King Charles, whom he reportedly hasn’t met since the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was disclosed over a year ago. King Charles departed for a state visit to Italy shortly after Harry arrived in London; however, it is uncertain whether they were able to meet during this brief period.
This visit occurs amid issues surrounding Prince Harry’s African charity, Sentebale, which he co-founded in 2006 to assist children with HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho recently resigned as patrons after a conflict with the charity’s chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka.
The dispute has prompted the UK Charity Commission to initiate a compliance case to investigate governance issues. Harry expressed concern over the situation, calling it “heartbreaking” to see the chairwoman face allegations of bullying and harassment aimed at removing her from her role.
Several high-ranking officials have resigned from Sentebale following the conflict with Chandauka, who has declined to step down despite being asked. The disagreement seems to focus on a shift in the charity’s mission from supporting children with HIV/AIDS to addressing “issues of youth health, wealth, and climate resilience in Southern Africa.”
Chandauka has raised serious concerns about the charity’s operations, citing issues of “poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir.” She also suggested that Prince Harry’s “toxicity” has become a barrier to potential donors.
Harry has welcomed the Charity Commission’s investigation, hoping it will “unveil the truth” and enable the organization to be “put in the right hands.” The conflict has had a personal impact on the Duke, as Sentebale was a key part of his public image since his early twenties.
Reports indicate that tensions at Sentebale may have started with an incident involving Meghan Markle. According to one account, Meghan allegedly had a disagreement with Chandauka after appearing rude and unengaged at a charity event. Harry reportedly asked Chandauka to issue a public statement defending Meghan, but she refused, potentially triggering the subsequent dispute.
While Harry handles these challenges in the UK, Meghan Markle remains in California, preparing to launch her new podcast series, “Confessions of a Female Founder.” Produced with Lemonada Media, the podcast aims to guide on transforming small ideas into successful enterprises.
Harry’s ongoing legal and charity challenges highlight the continuing difficulties he faces since stepping back from royal duties. The judges overseeing his security appeal are expected to issue a written decision at a later date, likely after Easter.
