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The Prince of Wales has swiftly severed ties with a donor after reports emerged suggesting she attempted to sell private access to him for a substantial sum. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire and proprietor of the Mondejar Gallery, is alleged to have offered exclusive meetings with Prince William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for £20,000.
The Mondejar Gallery was listed as an official sponsor for the prestigious annual charitable polo event, scheduled to take place next month in Windsor. According to reports in The Sunday Times, Steiner’s foundation, the Mondejar Foundation, was using its sponsorship to solicit funds by promising one-on-one interactions with the Prince.
Kensington Palace has declined to comment on the specifics of the allegations. However, it is understood that the Palace was entirely unaware of these activities, which are being widely perceived as the actions of a "rogue sponsor," until they were alerted by the newspaper. Upon receiving this information, immediate action was taken to address the situation.
Sources close to the event organisers have indicated that they too were unaware that the Mondejar Foundation was reportedly leveraging its sponsorship in this manner to raise money. The Mondejar Foundation has been approached for comment regarding these serious allegations.
The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is a highly anticipated and exclusive event, attracting a select group of charity donors who gather to watch the Prince of Wales participate in the polo game. Last year's event saw notable attendees such as TV presenter and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his wife Jackie. The annual match plays a crucial role in raising significant funds for various causes championed by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Last year alone, the event successfully raised over £1 million for charities including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children, and The Royal Marsden.
The incident underscores the stringent protocols and high ethical standards expected of all individuals and organisations associated with the Royal Family's charitable endeavours.
