Prince William’s Charity Polo Match Cuts Ties with Donor Allegedly Selling Access to Him and Kate Middleton
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A recent scandal has emerged involving a donor who was allegedly attempting to sell access to Prince William and Kate Middleton at a charity polo match. The Royal Charity Polo Cup has swiftly terminated ties with the individual in question, Minerva Mondejar Steiner, who runs The Mondejar Gallery.
According to reports from The Sunday Times, the Mondejar Foundation, associated with the donor, was purportedly offering exclusive meetings with the royal couple in exchange for a significant donation of around $27,000. The gallery, founded by Mondejar Steiner, is described as a prominent platform for contemporary art with a philanthropic arm supported by the Mondejar Foundation.
Following the publication of these allegations, action was promptly taken by the organisers of the charity polo event. Although there was no direct connection between the Royal Charity Polo Cup and the Mondejar Foundation, a sponsorship agreement had been entered into with the Mondejar Gallery, which is now being terminated.
It has been confirmed that Prince William’s charitable team was unaware of the Mondejar Foundation’s activities, including the alleged solicitation of donations through an exclusive networking group known as A Small World, where access to the royal couple was being offered in conjunction with the polo event.
The controversy surrounding the situation began when The Sunday Times revealed that the Mondejar Foundation was allegedly providing access to Prince William and Kate Middleton for a price. An email sent to members of A Small World reportedly detailed the opportunity for a “private audience” with the royal couple in exchange for a significant donation.
The email also mentioned the Royal Charity Polo Cup as the backdrop for this exclusive occasion, promising attendees a day filled with champagne, VIP polo matches, and interactions with leading figures from philanthropy, fashion, arts, and culture.
The Mondejar Gallery’s involvement in offering access to Prince William for potential advertisers further escalated the situation. For a substantial fee of approximately $68,406, advertisers could secure a double-page spread in a magazine distributed at the polo match, along with access to the royal couple.
The Royal Charity Polo Match holds significant importance as a fundraiser for charities supported by Prince William and Kate Middleton. Over the years, it has raised more than $17 million for causes close to the hearts of the royal couple. The event serves as an informal gathering on their summer calendar and draws attention to important charitable endeavours.
At the previous year’s polo match, Princess Kate was notably absent as she focused on her cancer treatment, while Prince William continued to participate in the event. The couple’s public appearances together are always cherished, with their last joint attendance at the Royal Charity Polo Match in 2023 resulting in a sweet public display of affection.
Apart from her association with the charity polo event, Mondejar Steiner briefly crossed paths with Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards in London. Her interaction with the Duke of Sussex was limited to a handshake and a photo opportunity during the event, where she was a guest of another attendee.
The Duke’s commitment to the WellChild Awards, a charity supporting seriously ill children, has been longstanding, and he has no further plans for engagement with Mondejar Steiner. The incident has underscored the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in charitable initiatives involving members of the royal family.
In light of these events, the organisers of the Royal Charity Polo Cup have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the values of integrity and philanthropy that guide their fundraising efforts. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with affiliations to high-profile charitable events and the need for thorough vetting of donors and sponsors in such contexts.
Overall, the situation has prompted a reevaluation of sponsorship agreements and fundraising practices associated with the charity polo match, with a focus on preserving the integrity and charitable mission of the event for the benefit of the causes it supports.