Back in the saddle—Prince William moves forward with royal duties despite donor controversy
A Royal Duty Amid Controversy
Prince William is set to take part in the 2025 Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup on Friday, July 11, at Windsor Great Park—just two weeks after a major shake-up involving a now-former sponsor. The annual event raises vital funds for British charities, but this year, it comes with a cloud of royal scrutiny.
Why Did Prince William Cut Ties with Donor?
According to a report by The Times, millionaire Minerva Mondejar Steiner allegedly offered wealthy clients access to Prince William and Princess Kate for up to £20,000 through a luxury concierge service. An email reportedly listed pricing tiers:
- £6,000 – Standard admission
- £20,000 – “Full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine”
This “pay-for-access” approach violated ethical guidelines associated with the British royal family charity operations. A Kensington Palace statement confirmed that the Prince of Wales was unaware of the scheme and moved quickly to sever ties with Steiner and her foundation.
Prince Harry Publicly Backs William’s Decision
In an unexpected moment of unity, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, also distanced himself from Steiner. She used to back Harry’s WellChild Awards, but once the controversy hit, he took a page out of William’s book and dropped all official ties.
Charity Event to Continue as Planned
Despite the scandal, Prince William’s charity event will proceed at Guards Polo Club, with proceeds supporting ten UK charities. Among the causes:
- Child Bereavement UK
- NHS Charities Together
- Anna Freud Centre
- British Red Cross
This event remains a high-profile charity event in the UK, blending tradition, celebrity, and royal duty—all under the lens of global media attention.
Will Princess Kate Attend?
Okay, so we’re still in the dark about whether Kate’s gonna pop up at the match. Kensington Palace is keeping super quiet about it.
She’s usually there every year, and when she shows, the cameras lose it—probably ‘cause everyone’s obsessed with how much she’s all about kids’ health and happiness.”
William’s Latest Public Appearance: More Than Just Polo
This appearance is Prince William’s first public engagement since the donor fallout—making it one of the most watched royal events of the season.
For royal watchers, the polo match is more than a game. It’s a strategic moment of media response, reinforcing Prince William’s royal foundation values and highlighting his ability to rise above charity controversy with dignity.
“The Prince of Wales is committed to ensuring that his charitable work remains transparent and values-driven,” a royal source shared.
What This Means for Royal Charity Ethics
This whole event’s got people talking about how royal charities in the UK handle the mix of celebrity, cash, and connections these days. It’s a bit of a minefield, you know?
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Plus, it’s clear folks want more openness about who’s donating and how those royal partnerships work, especially with everyone—public and press—keeping a closer eye on things.
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