Latest news with #Filipina-Swiss
News18
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Prince William Scraps Ties With Sponsor Accused of Offering ‘Access' To Royals
Last Updated: Minerva Mondejar Steiner's gallery was reportedly assigned as the official sponsor for Prince William's Royal Charity Polo Cup match. A wealthy gallery owner was reportedly selling 'full private" meetings with the Prince of Wales without his knowledge. As per the latest reports, Prince William has severed his ties with the individual as she was trying to sell private access to him in exchange for £20,000 (more than $27,000). Identified as Minerva Mondejar Steiner, the Filipina-Swiss millionaire art gallery curator was reportedly planning to offer private meetings with both William and Princess Kate at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match, scheduled for next month in Windsor. The 45-year-old's gallery is said to be an official sponsor of the annual charitable polo event. On the other hand, the Kensington Palace was unaware of the sponsor's alleged activities until alerted by The Sunday Times report. She offered 'VVIP tickets and access to royalty" to advertisers willing to shell out money for a feature in her magazine, which was to be handed out at the event. As per the emails seen by the outlet, Steiner had extended confidential invitations through the luxury concierge, A Small World, informing the guests that they could attend the polo match, enjoy lunch and champagne, view the art exhibition, and even meet the Prince and Princess of Wales, all in exchange for 'patron contributions." '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," a part of the email read. As a result, William has terminated her sponsorship for the charity polo event. His brother Prince Harry has also severed ties with Steiner. Meanwhile, the Kensington Palace is now carrying out checks on the sponsors of the cup. The Royal Charity Polo Cup is an exclusive, invitation-only event that will take place next month in Windsor. Over the past 15 years, the event has raised money for charitable causes supported by the Prince, who regularly takes part in it. Those in attendance get the chance to watch the Prince of Wales playing polo and also make donations to the causes.
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Prince William cuts ties with wealthy donor after she offered access to royal for cash
Prince William has severed ties with a wealthy donor who allegedly attempted to sell access to the royal for an eye-popping $27,000. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss art gallery curator, offered private meetings with the Prince and Princess of Wales at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for cash, The Sunday Times reports. The 45-year-old millionaire, who heads up the Mondejar Gallery in Switzerland, served as the official sponsor of the annual polo event, set to take place in Windsor, England next month. 6 Prince William has severed ties with a wealthy donor who allegedly attempted to sell access to the royal for an eye-popping $27,000. Getty Images for TGI Sport But it appears as though Steiner had an ulterior motive as she offered prospective buyers the chance to get access to the future king, 43, in exchange for large sums of money. Kensington Palace was unaware of her alleged activities, the outlet adds. The Palace immediately terminated the sponsorship once learning of Steiner's cash-for-access scheme, the outlet adds. The Post has reached out to the Mondejar Gallery, the Mondejar Foundation and Kensington Palace for comment. Sources close to the self-proclaimed philanthropist told the outlet that she was unable to speak about the event until after it had taken place, per a pending confidentiality agreement. 6 Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss art gallery curator, allegedly offered private meetings with the royals at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for cash. @minerva_mondejargallery/Instagram In the alleged invitation, Steiner issued what she called a 'strictly private and confidential' offer to members of A Small World, a luxury travel and lifestyle community. '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,' her email read. The email also detailed specific contribution benefits, including admission for one patron for $8,000, or full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine for $27,000. 6 Steiner specifically offered private meetings with the Prince and Princess of Wales. Getty Images for TGI Sport 6 The Palace immediately terminated the sponsorship once learning of Steiner's cash-for-access scheme, the outlet adds. Getty Images for TGI Sport She also offered 'VVIP tickets' to advertisers who were prepared to shell out $68,000 to feature in a magazine handed out at the fundraiser. She also promised attendees a 'luncheon' with 'free-flowing champagne,' as well as entrance to an art exhibition and opportunities to mingle with 'ultra-high-net-worth individuals, cultural icons and luxury leaders.' Recipients were warned that the invitation was 'for your eyes only and not to be shared publicly or on social media.' 6 The annual fundraiser has generated more than $18 million for the charity in the last 15 years. Getty Images Wealthy donors from all over the world are invited to the annual Royal Charity Polo Cup. At the exclusive, invite-only event, they mingle, raise money and watch Prince William complete in a polo match. The palace typically announces the royal's involvement after the match has concluded, maintaining the event's strict privacy policy. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters The annual fundraiser has generated more than $18 million for the charity in the last 15 years. A frequent guest of the event was William's longtime friend and billionaire businessman Sunjay Kapur, who earlier this month died after swallowing a bee during a polo match. He was 53. 6 Steiner pictured shaking hands with Prince Harry at his 2024 WellChild event. @minerva_mondejargallery/Instagram Kapur, who was the chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, died from a heart attack on a polo field in Windsor, England, on June 12. His polo club revealed that the bee sting triggered an anaphylactic shock that caused his heart to stop.
Sky News AU
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Donor 'offered access to Prince William for cash'
A royal donor who tried to sell access to Prince William for more than $A40,000 has been cut loose, according to reports. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for STG20,000 ($A41,000), 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 in July. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood the palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. 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. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch the prince play polo. Among the guests at the 2024 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 STG1 million ($A2.1 million) for causes that William and wife Kate are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden. A royal donor who tried to sell access to Prince William for more than $A40,000 has been cut loose, according to reports. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for STG20,000 ($A41,000), 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 in July. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood the palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. 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. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch the prince play polo. Among the guests at the 2024 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 STG1 million ($A2.1 million) for causes that William and wife Kate are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden. A royal donor who tried to sell access to Prince William for more than $A40,000 has been cut loose, according to reports. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for STG20,000 ($A41,000), 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 in July. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood the palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. 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. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch the prince play polo. Among the guests at the 2024 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 STG1 million ($A2.1 million) for causes that William and wife Kate are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden. A royal donor who tried to sell access to Prince William for more than $A40,000 has been cut loose, according to reports. Minerva Mondejar Steiner, a Filipina-Swiss millionaire, offered private meetings with William at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup match in exchange for STG20,000 ($A41,000), 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 in July. Kensington Palace declined to comment. It is understood the palace was unaware of what is being viewed as a rogue sponsor until alerted by the newspaper, and action was taken immediately. 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. The Royal Charity Polo Cup match is an exclusive event where charity donors can watch the prince play polo. Among the guests at the 2024 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 STG1 million ($A2.1 million) for causes that William and wife Kate are passionate about, including Wales Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK, Place2Be, Action for Children and The Royal Marsden.
