Prince William‘s Royal Charity Polo Cup is making some changes this year after one of its donors got caught breaking a major rule. According to new reports, a donor who was set to work with organization this year allegedly attempted to sell access to private meetings with members of the royal family, including William and wife Kate Middleton. Suffice it to say that donor is no longer working with the royals!
The Sunday Times first reported the situation, claiming that millionaire Minerva Mondejar Steiner, whose art gallery was sponsoring the polo match, offered a private meeting with William to the tune of around $27,400.
That wasn’t all, though — for a whopping $68,400, advertisers could buy an ad in a magazine that event attendees receive, and Minerva promised they’d also receive “VVIP tickets” and “access to royalty” in exchange for the money.
Of course, Minerva had no authority to offer to this to her connections, but it doesn’t seem like that stopped her. As a donor, she was on the guest list for the event, but she also allegedly sent out an email offering any guests who donated a place on the list as well.
“As a patron of the Mondejar Foundation, you are invited to support their philanthropic work through a charitable donation, in return for which you will be welcomed to this prestigious occasion,” the email said, according to the Times. “Hosted in the presence of members of the British Royal Family, and supported by the Mondejar Foundation, this highly exclusive gathering unites leading figures from philanthropy, fashion, the arts, and culture for a truly unforgettable day.”
Along with the opportunity to watch the polo match, Minerva also offered her potential guests a “refined luncheon and free-flowing champagne,” plus other perks.
As most can probably guess, it doesn’t sound like the palace was happy when they caught wind of this. On Monday, People confirmed that the organizers of the Royal Charity Polo Cup are in the process of terminating their sponsorship agreement with the Mondejar Gallery.
The polo event will take place on July 11.
