Yikes. There’s been some royal drama – as one of Prince William’s donors allegedly tried to sell access to him and Kate. According to The Sunday Times, art curator and millionaire Minerva Mondejar Steiner attempted to flog tickets to William’s annual charity polo match, which promised a ‘private audience’ with Kate and Wills, for the hefty sum of $27,000.

The match – which is scheduled for later this month in Windsor – is a yearly event to raise money for charities close to William’s heart, such as Mountain Rescue England and Wales, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the Royal African Society and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. But it’s not the sort of thing you can just rock up to – no, this is an exclusive, invitation-only event for wealthy donors. And Mondejar’s art gallery was an official sponsor of the event.

Mondejar’s supposedly royal offer was made via email to members of A Small World, a luxury travel and lifestyle community. And according to The Sunday Times, the email – ‘for your eyes only and not to be shared publicly or on social media’ – 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.’

The invite continued, stating it would be ‘£6,000’ for ‘admission for one patron’. But for ‘£20,000’ a ticket would ‘include full access plus a private audience with Prince William and Princess Catherine’. She also allegedly offered a ’luncheon’ with ‘free-flowing champagne’, where guests could watch ‘VIP polo matches in an intimate setting’, attend an art exhibition, and brush shoulders with ‘invitation-only guest list of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, cultural icons and luxury leaders’.

A Kensington Palace source responded to The Sunday Times, and the paper reports the palace hadn’t been aware Mondejar ‘was using the occasion to raise money for her own causes or promising access to William’, adding there would be no ‘cash for access’ and William did ‘not condone [that] type of behaviour’. Despite the hiccup, it’s expected William is still going to the event and will hold a reception to thank donors.

In other news, Kate and William have just had their powers expanded by the King – and from next year, they will be able to grant royal warrants to companies. A royal warrant, according to the royal family’s website, is ‘a mark of recognition to people or companies who have regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household’, and companies are then able to use the Royal coat of arms on its products or advertising for up to five years.

Ian Patrick, Private Secretary to William, confirmed their new responsibilities, saying: ‘Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to be able to recognise and celebrate British industry, creativity and skills through the granting of Warrants.’ (We all know Kate is one of the most stylish royals, so it could be amazing news for fashion companies Kate is a fan of – such as Jenny Packham and Erdem – if she decides to give them the royal seal of approval.)

Business aside, earlier this week, Kate shed light on how she has been doing since she announced she was cancer free in January. Since the announcement, Kate has been making a gradual return to public events, and last month, she attended the annual Trooping the Colour parade, celebrating the birthday of King Charles, as well as making an appearance at the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel. But, last minute, she dropped out of an appearance at Royal Ascot.

Recovering from treatment, she says, has been ‘really, really difficult’. ‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment,’ she said, according to Page Six, during a visit to patients and staff at Colchester Hospital. ‘Treatment’s done, then it’s like, “I can crack on, get back to normal,” but actually [that’s not the case].’ She added support was pivotal for those undergoing recovery, saying having ‘someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment … is really valuable’.

‘It’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,’ she added. ‘But the reality is, you go through hard times. And to have a place like this, to have the support network – whether it’s through creativity and singing or gardening, whatever it might be – is so valuable and it’s great that this community has it.’

Gardening and spending time outdoors has been important for Kate – so much so the Royal Horticultural Society will be selling a rose inspired by the princess, called Catherine’s Rose, later in the year to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. (And when Kate visited Colchester Hospital, she also donated 50 of the plants to the hospital garden.) Clare Matterson, RHS director general, said the flower would help ‘raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal’. ‘We know how important this message is as every day we see how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness,’ she added.