Prince Harry has responded to the news that the Charity Commission will open a 'compliance case' to consider the concerns raised about Sentebale, the charity he founded in honour of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales. The UK watchdog has escalated its investigations into 'concerns raised' about the charity a week after it emerged Harry had quit as patron.

The Duke of Sussex said in a statement: "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. No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself."

He added: "We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign. We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve."

The charity commission has said it is "in direct contact with parties who have raised concerns". A spokesman said the watchdog will "gather evidence and assess the compliance of the charity and trustees past and present with their legal duties" and responsibilities under charity law.

Sentebale executive director Carmel Gaillard said that her team was committed to cooperating with the Charity Commission’s case and that "we welcome the clarity this process will bring."

The charity's chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, insists the charity she runs is "acting appropriately to demonstrate and ensure good governance and a healthy culture for Sentebale to thrive."

Harry co-founded Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids.

Last week it emerged that several trustees had left the charity in a dispute with its chairwoman, Dr Chandauka, having requested her resignation. Harry and Prince Seeiso backed the departing trustees and announced they had resigned as patrons until further notice.

The chair hit back at the mass exodus and issued a statement in which she alleged there had been "poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir".

She also appeared to criticise Harry for going to the press and for what she described as playing "the victim card".

Then on Sunday she gave an explosive interview where she claimed the duke had tried to "eject" her from the charity through "bullying" and "harassment".

Regulatory compliance cases can lead to a range of outcomes including an official warning being given to a charity or a statutory inquiry being opened, which can give the commission additional powers of investigation.