Prince William has severed all ties with a high-profile donor after she was caught offering paid access to him and Princess Catherine at a charity polo event, igniting fresh controversy over royal sponsorship vetting.
At a Glance
- Donor Minerva Mondejar Steiner offered £20K “VVIP” tickets for royal access.
- Ads promised private meetings with the Prince and Princess at a polo event.
- Kensington Palace says William had no knowledge and did not condone the scheme.
- The donor’s sponsorship was immediately terminated after media exposure.
- The event has raised over £10 million for royal charities since its inception.
Rogue Donor’s £20K Access Offer
According to The Times, Minerva Mondejar Steiner used her status as a Royal Charity Polo Cup sponsor to offer private access to Prince William and Princess Catherine for £20,000. Invitations circulated via A Small World’s concierge network included claims of exclusive luncheons, art events, and face time with the royals—without Kensington Palace approval. Ads also pitched £50K sponsorships as a route to meet the royal couple.
Watch a report: Royal donor scandal: Meeting Prince William for £20K?
Palace Responds, Cuts All Ties
Kensington Palace confirmed Prince William had no prior knowledge of the scheme and “did not condone” the unauthorized activity. An internal vetting process was reportedly conducted before the event, but the scheme was uncovered only after press investigation. Once exposed, William’s team swiftly terminated Mondejar Steiner’s sponsorship.
Crisis Management and Reputation Risks
With echoes of past “cash-for-access” scandals involving King Charles, the situation has prompted new questions about how donors are vetted and what safeguards exist. Palace sources insist there was no sanctioned exchange of money for access, but the breach has triggered calls for reform in how charity events are governed.
Spotlight on Royal Fundraising Ethics
As scrutiny intensifies, royal aides are expected to overhaul protocols to prevent misuse of sponsorship privileges. The polo event, held at Guards Polo Club, remains on schedule—with Prince William still set to attend and thank supporters. However, with public trust on the line, the Palace now faces pressure to ensure transparency and reassert the integrity of royal charity operations.
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