Prince William has severed connections with a wealthy donor accused of trying to sell access to him for a staggering $27,000.
Miner Bamon de Jahrsteiner, the curator of the Philippine Sweis Gallery, reportedly offered a private meeting with the Prince and Princess at the upcoming Royal Charity Polo Cup in exchange for a hefty fee, as detailed by the Sunday Times.
De Jahrsteiner, a billionaire who heads the Swiss Mondejar Gallery, has been the official sponsor of this annual polo event, set to take place next month in Windsor, England.
However, his motives seem questionable since he was proposing to facilitate access to the future king in return for money.
Kensington Palace was apparently unaware of these intentions, and once the scheme came to light, they promptly ended their sponsorship.
A source connected to the self-styled charity stated that they couldn’t discuss the situation until after the event, possibly due to an ongoing non-disclosure agreement.
In an invitation that was allegedly sent out, Jahrsteiner claimed the event was “strictly private and confidential,” targeting members of an elite lifestyle community.
As a patron of the Mondejar Foundation, recipients were encouraged to contribute financially to support the charity.
The invitation included specific contribution levels, such as an $8,000 admission for one patron, or a full access option for $27,000, which would provide personal time with Prince William and Princess Catherine.
Jahrsteiner also offered “VVIP tickets” to sponsors willing to pay $68,000 to be featured in promotional materials for the fundraiser.
Additional perks included a “lunch party” with unlimited champagne and the chance to mingle with extraordinarily wealthy patrons, cultural icons, and notable leaders.
Invitations were marked as private, urging recipients not to share them on social media or publicly.
The annual fundraiser over the last 15 years has managed to raise more than $18 million for charitable causes.
The prestigious Royal Charity Polo Cup invites affluent donors from around the world, providing a space for them to network and watch Prince William participate in polo matches.
Typically, the palace announces royal involvement after the matches conclude while keeping a strict privacy policy.
The event has seen regular attendance from William’s long-time friend, billionaire businessman Sunjay Kapur, who tragically passed away from a heart attack on June 12th at the polo grounds.
His polo club has indicated that he suffered a bee sting that led to anaphylactic shock, which ultimately caused his heart to stop.
