Prince William offered up in cash-for-access scandal: report

An unfortunate controversy has reportedly cropped up ahead of the future king’s ultra-exclusive charity event.

Prince William and the Princess of Wales.

IN LONDON

Prince William has been embroiled at the centre of a “cash-for-royal-access” scandal, forcing him to cut ties with a donor to his charities.

Filipina-Swiss millionaire Minerva Mondejar Steiner, 45, whose art gallery was an official sponsor of the Prince of Wales’ annual charity polo event, reportedly offered wealthy individuals a private meeting with him in exchange for £20,000 (A$42,000).

Mondejar Steiner was a guest of the prince’s exclusive Royal Charity Polo Cup in Windsor, which sees affluent donors mingle with each other and watch the future king play polo.

William inadvertently became embroiled in a cash-for-access controversy, according to a new report. Picture: John Phillips/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies

According to the UK’s Sunday Times, she sent a “strictly private and confidential” invitation to a select group, who were told that by donating to her foundation, they may attend the polo event or join her for a meeting with William.

“Patron contributions: £6,000 — admission for one patron. £20,000 — includes full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine,” an email invitation, exposed by the Times, read.

At another point, it stated: “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.”

Kate with William at the 2023 charity polo match. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for TGI Sport

Kensington Palace responded to the story, saying that William did not “condone” Ms Mondejar Steiner’s behaviour and thanking the publication for exposing it. The Palace also revealed it had asked the club to cut ties with its former sponsor.

The charity event is known to be discreet, with details and pictures surrounding William’s involvement typically only released after it’s been held.

It’s not been confirmed whether the Princess of Wales will be present at this year’s match. She was forced to sit out the 2024 event as she was undergoing cancer treatment, but was front and centre in 2023, where she was pictured beaming as she presented William with a trophy.

Over the years, the charity polo initiative has raised more than £10 million (A$20 million) for a variety of causes.

Originally published as Prince William offered up in cash-for-access scandal: report