https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/prince-william-donor-access-polo-cl0s5p8j6
Mondejar Steiner, who was on the guest list, extended a “strictly private and confidential” invitation to wealthy individuals belonging to a luxury concierge service. They were told that, in exchange for donations to her own philanthropic foundation, they could attend the event or even join her in meeting the future king himself.
The email read: “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.”
It continued: “Patron contributions: £6,000 — admissiona for one patron. £20,000 — includes full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine.”
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A Kensington Palace source said William did not “condone” the behaviour outlined in the email and thanked The Sunday Times for bringing the matter to their attention. In the circumstances, they said, they had asked the club to terminate its relationship with the sponsor.
The palace said it had no idea Mondejar Steiner was using the occasion to raise money for her own causes or promising access to William. In an unusually forthright intervention, the source said William did “not condone the type of behaviour” in question and said there would be no “cash for access”.
They added they were only familiar with Mondejar Steiner’s gallery, not her foundation, and did not know she was using the event to raise money for her own, rather than William’s, projects, or that she had shared an invitation with a luxury lifestyle company. It is understood William will still be attending the event and a behind-the-scenes reception to thank “those involved”.
Asked what due diligence was done on sponsors of the cup, the palace source said that a secretariat at Buckingham Palace performed checks. It declined to say how much Mondejar Steiner had paid to become a sponsor or put on her own art exhibition at the event, saying the price charged varied.
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