Tragedy at Windsor: Prince William’s Close Friend Dies After Bee Sting During Polo Match

What was meant to be a sun-soaked day of sport and celebration in Windsor turned into a harrowing tragedy that left everyone in shock — including Prince William. On Thursday, June 12, the grounds of Windsor played host to a friendly polo match featuring champagne, laughter, and camaraderie. Among the guests was Sunjay Kapur, a billionaire businessman, avid polo enthusiast, and close friend of the royal family.

The match, however, took a devastating turn. In the middle of the game, Sunjay Kapur suddenly collapsed after uttering chilling final words: “I swallowed something.” Witnesses quickly realized he had been stung on the mouth by a bee. Despite immediate efforts to help him, Kapur died within moments due to a sudden and severe anaphylactic shock.

A Day of Joy Turns to Horror

Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the body to go into rapid crisis mode — blood pressure drops dangerously low, and airways can close up in minutes. According to reports from The Telegraph and The Mirror, the sting triggered an immediate and overwhelming reaction. “He was full of life, laughing, joking — and then he was just gone,” shared a stunned onlooker.

Paramedics and on-site medical staff attempted emergency intervention, but it was too late. The shocking speed and finality of the event left guests and players — including Prince William — visibly shaken.

Who Was Sunjay Kapur?

More than just a familiar face in polo circles, Sunjay Kapur was a man of considerable stature in the business world. He was the Chairman of Sona Comstar, a major global player in the auto components industry. Under his leadership, the company became a powerhouse of innovation and global expansion.

But his life was not limited to boardrooms and board horses. Kapur had long been associated with the aristocracy and was a frequent presence at exclusive polo matches, often seen rubbing shoulders with the British royals. Described by friends as “funny, kind, and generous,” his absence will be deeply felt.

“He’ll be missed enormously — not just by his family and friends, but also by the local community around his club,” said one of his friends to Telegraph Sport. “He gave jobs to so many people and had a gift for making others feel welcome.”

A Personal Life in the Spotlight

Sunjay Kapur’s personal life had also often drawn public attention, particularly due to his high-profile marriage to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, whom he wed in 2003. The couple had two children together, Samaira and Kiaan, before separating in 2016. Following their divorce, Kapur found love again with model Priya Sachdev, with whom he had a third child, a son named Azarias.

Despite his demanding professional life and frequent travels, Kapur remained active on social media and was known for sharing both family moments and messages of social concern. In a poignant twist, just hours before his death, he had posted a message offering prayers for the victims of a tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

“Terrible news of the tragic accident in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected,” he had written — unaware that fate would soon bring heartbreak to his own.

Mourning a Visionary

The shock of his death rippled across the business community. Sona Comstar, the company he led with passion and clarity, issued a statement that reflected both grief and admiration.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our Chairman, Mr. Sunjay Kapur. He was a visionary leader whose passion, insight, and dedication shaped the identity and success of our organization.”

Tributes also poured in from family members, friends, and professional acquaintances, all echoing the same sentiments: Sunjay Kapur was a force of life, and his loss is immeasurable.

A Family Already in Grief

The tragedy adds to a difficult year for those close to Kapur. In January, his former brother-in-law, actor Saif Ali Khan, was brutally attacked at his residence in India. He suffered a serious injury to his spine but fortunately recovered. That incident had already rattled the extended family — and now, this sudden death has plunged them deeper into mourning.

As the royal family and Kapur’s loved ones come to terms with the unimaginable loss, his death serves as a stark reminder of life’s fragility. A single bee sting — a moment’s misfortune — turned a joyful gathering into a somber tragedy.

At a place where horses gallop and laughter once echoed, silence now hangs heavy. Sunjay Kapur may be gone, but the impact of his life — on business, on sport, and on those who knew him — will not be forgotten.