Latest news with #MondejarFoundation
Mint
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Prince William's charity polo cup cut ties with donor for allegedly selling ‘private audience' with him and Kate
Prince William's charity polo has reportedly cut ties with a donor who allegedly attempted to use the event to sell 'private meetings' with the Prince and Princess of Wales in exchange for donations. The sponsor of the Royal Charity Polo Cup in question here is millionaire Minerva Mondejar Steiner's Mondejar Gallery. According to The Sunday Times report, the Mondejar Foundation had allegedly offered access to Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton in exchange for a donation. A screenshot of an email reportedly sent to members of the exclusive networking group, A Small World, shows that they pitched a 'private audience' with the royal couple for approximately $27,362, according to The Sunday Times. The offer was tied to an invitation to the Royal Charity Polo Cup, which is reportedly scheduled for Friday, July 11, in Windsor. "As patron of the Mondejar Foundation, you're 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 Sunday 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.' According to the outlet, Mondejar Steiner's team also offered potential advertisers the opportunity to meet Prince William, which would be featured in a magazine distributed to everyone attending the polo match. For about $68,406, advertisers could buy a double-page spread with two 'VVIP tickets' for seats at the match and 'access to the royals'. Following the allegations, the Royal Charity Polo Cup took swift action to sever ties with the gallery. According to a PEOPLE report, while the Royal Charity and the Mondejar Foundation had no relationship, the organisers had entered into a sponsorship agreement with the Mondejar Gallery. They are now in the process of terminating that arrangement. The report also said that William's charitable team was not aware of the Mondejar Foundation or of its attempts to solicit donations through its exclusive networking group by offering access to the royal couple via the polo event. Mondejar Steiner declined to comment for The Sunday Times and has not replied to PEOPLE.
Sky News AU
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Access to royalty': Kensington Palace severs ties with royal donor Minerva Mondejar Steiner following claims she offered access to Prince William for cash
Prince William has cut ties with a high-profile donor after she allegedly attempted to sell access to him and Princess Catherine for tens of thousands of pounds. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire and art gallery owner, reportedly offered a private meeting with the Prince in exchange for a £20,000 (roughly AUD$40,000) donation. Her gallery, The Mondejar Gallery, had been an official sponsor of the Prince's annual charity polo event. According to The Sunday Times, Mondejar Steiner circulated an email spruiking "VVIP tickets" and exclusive "access to royalty" to businesses willing to pay £50,000 (about AUD$100,000) to advertise in a magazine handed out at the polo fundraiser. The Royal Charity Polo Cup, held at Windsor Great Park each July, is a strictly invitation-only event where wealthy donors watch the Prince of Wales play polo and contribute to causes close to his heart. Despite already being on the guest list, the 45-year-old reportedly extended a "strictly private and confidential" invitation to members of a luxury concierge network called A Small World, offering them access in exchange for donations to her own charitable organisation, the Mondejar Foundation. "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 read. "Patron contributions: £6,000 – admission for one patron. £20,000 – includes full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine." Also on offer was a "luncheon" with "free-flowing champagne", entry to an art exhibition and the opportunity to mingle with "ultra-high-net-worth individuals, cultural icons and luxury leaders". The email warned that the invitation was not to be shared publicly or on social media. In response to the damning revelation, Kensington Palace source told The Sunday Times that Prince William "did not condone the type of behaviour" described and thanked the publication for "bringing the matter to their attention". They said the palace had no knowledge Mondejar Steiner was using the event to raise money for her own foundation, nor that she was promising access to the royal couple. It added that they were "only familiar" with Mondejar Steiner's gallery, not her foundation, and had no idea she had partnered with a luxury lifestyle group to distribute invitations. Given the circumstances, they said, the Prince's team had requested that the club sever its ties with her. William, 43, is expected to attend the event, as well as a behind-the-scenes reception to thank "those involved". However, it is unclear whether Catherine, also 43, will be present. Last year, the mother-of-three did not attend the event because she was undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Despite being cut by the Waleses, the wife of Zurich-based film director Michael Steiner still appears to have plenty of rich and famous acquaintances. In September, she was photographed with Prince Harry at the WellChild Awards in London. Weeks earlier, she posted about meeting actor Benedict Cumberbatch at a film screening on climate change. has contacted the Mondejar Gallery for comment.
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Millionaire donor tried to sell private meetings with Prince William for $27,000: report
Prince William has cut ties with a donor to his charities after it was revealed that she tried to sell private meetings with the British royal for 20,000 pounds (more than $27,000). Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a millionaire art gallery curator who sponsored William's annual polo fundraiser, sent out 'cash for access' invites to ultra-wealthy patrons, promising a meeting with the future king in exchange for cash. Britain's Prince William offered up for $27,000 in 'cash for access' scandal.(REUTERS) According to a report in The Sunday Times, Steiner was an official sponsor of William's annual charitable polo event and offered access to the prince at the polo match. She also offered 'VVIP tickets' and 'access to royalty' to advertisers willing to shell out 50,000 pounds for a feature in a magazine that would be handed out at the event. What is the polo event at the centre of this row? The Royal Charity Polo Cup, an exclusive, invitation-only event held in Windsor, is set to return next month. Over the past 15 years, the event has helped raise more than 13 million pounds for charitable causes supported by the prince, who regularly takes part in the match. At this match, millionaire donors can watch the Prince of Wales play polo and are expected to donate generously to causes close to him. What did Minerva Mondejar Steiner offer? Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a 45-year-old Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered a private meeting with Prince William to people willing to donate to her own philanthropic organisation. In her email sent to 'wealthy individuals belonging to a luxury concierge service', she wrote: '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. 'Patron contributions: £6,000 — admission for one patron. £20,000 — includes full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine. 'The attached invitation is for your eyes only and not to be shared publicly or on social media,' the email said, according to The Sunday Times.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal donor ‘offered access to Prince of Wales for cash'
The Prince of Wales has cut ties with a donor after she attempted to sell access to him for £20,000, reports have suggested. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with Prince William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for cash, the Sunday Times reported. Her art gallery, the Mondejar Gallery, was an official sponsor of the annual charitable polo event which is taking place in Windsor next month. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood that the Palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch Prince William play polo. The organisers of the event were not aware it was being used by the Mondejar Foundation to raise money, it is believed. The Mondejar Foundation has been approached for comment. Among the guests at last year's match was TV presenter and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and wife Jackie, who were seen taking a courtesy golf buggy around the site. The event raised more than a £1 million for causes that the Prince and Princess of Wales are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Royal donor ‘offered access to Prince of Wales for cash'
The Prince of Wales has cut ties with a donor after she attempted to sell access to him for £20,000, reports have suggested. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with Prince William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for cash, the Sunday Times reported. Her art gallery, the Mondejar Gallery, was an official sponsor of the annual charitable polo event which is taking place in Windsor next month. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood that the Palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch Prince William play polo. The organisers of the event were not aware it was being used by the Mondejar Foundation to raise money, it is believed. The Mondejar Foundation has been approached for comment. Among the guests at last year's match was TV presenter and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and wife Jackie, who were seen taking a courtesy golf buggy around the site. The event raised more than a £1 million for causes that the Prince and Princess of Wales are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden.
