Witnesses have claimed that a billionaire friend of Prince William told his teammates ‘I’ve swallowed something’ before he died after reportedly ‘ingesting a bee’ during a polo match.
Sunjay Kapur, 53, collapsed in front of horrified teammates during the game at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
Indian-born Mr Kapur was thought to have suffered a fatal heart attack after being stung in the mouth, potentially triggering anaphylactic shock.
It was first claimed by witnesses that he out cried, ‘I’ve swallowed something’ leading to assumption he may have ingested an insect, the Telegraph reports.
Mr Kapur, chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, had hours earlier paid tribute online to the victims of yesterday’s Air India plane crash tragedy.
He posted: ‘Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.’
In a statement, Sona Comstar said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the sudden demise of our Chairman, Mr Sunjay Kapur.
‘He was a visionary leader whose passion, insight and dedication shaped the identity and success of our company.’
Indian businessman Sunjay Kapur collapsed while playing polo in England yesterday
Tributes have been paid to the businessman who died after a reported bee sting on Thursday
He was married to Priya Sachdev Kapur (pictured, left), his second wife
Author and actor Suhel Seth posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur: he passed away earlier today in England.
‘A terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues.’
Mr Kapur’s former wife, Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, has previously spoken in interviews about him playing polo with the Prince of Wales.
The University of Buckingham graduate married Priya Sachdev Kapur, a former model and entrepreneur with whom he had a son named Azarias Kapur born in 2018.
Mr Kapur died as his Aureus team were playing in a semi-final match in the Cartier Queen’s Cup against Sujan Indian Tigers.
The match started at 3pm on Tuesday, June 12 at the club’s Smith’s Lawn grounds.
The club is closely associated with the Royal family. Prince Philip was the club’s president from the time it was founded in January 1955 until his death in April 2021 – holding the role for 66 years. King Charles became the club’s new president last year.
In a statement the club said its chairman Lieutenant Colonel Sean O’Dwyer along with ‘directors and members’ were ‘shocked to learn that Sunjay Kapur, owner of the Aureus polo team, died after becoming unwell when playing in a match at Smith’s Lawn’.
The statement added: ‘The club sends its deepest condolences to his widow, Priya Sachdev, his children, the wider Kapur family and his Aureus team-mates. ‘
Mr Kapur (pictured), 53, was chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar
The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the sports governing body in the UK, said: ‘The HPA is enormously sad to confirm that Sunjay Kapur, patron of the Aureus Polo Team, passed away during a match at Guards on Thursday, 12 June.
‘The incident was not playing-related and no further details will be released at this time.
‘As the governing body, the HPA are supporting those involved and our thoughts are with Sunjay’s wife Priya, his family, and the team at this time, and we kindly request that their privacy is respected.’
Following news of his tragic death, Ashoka University, in the Indian capital New Delhi, posted online: ‘Ashoka University mourns the passing away of Sunjay Kapur, Chairman, Sona Comstar and a valued member of the Ashoka fraternity.
‘A prominent figure in India’s business community, he will be remembered for his leadership.
‘Our deepest sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.’
And the Doon School in India – hailed as the country’s equivalent to Eton – said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of one of their former pupils.
A statement shared online described Mr Kapur as ‘a passionate fitness and sport enthusiast and a learner for life’ who ‘worked to make polo more accessible beyond its traditional roots’.
Sunjay Kapur had posted a message in honour of the Air India plane crash victims not long before he died, and tributes to him have since been shared online
The school added: ‘Mr Kapur’s enduring commitment to excellence, service, and community leaves a lasting legacy.
‘The Doon School family extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.’
Mr Kapur has been described as a regular on the polo circuit favoured by the royal family.
His global automotive company Sona Comsta, with operations across India, the US, China, Mexico and Serbia, provided key electric vehicle industry supplies.
Mr Kapur’s other positions included being president of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India and co-chair of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Manufacturing Council.
The Guards Club has been described as ‘the most prestigious polo club in the world, and members of the Royal Family including King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry have frequently played there.
It was originally named the Household Brigade Polo Club and British Army officers of the Household Division regiments were traditionally exempt from paying its joining fee which today stands at £45,000.
It changed its name in 1969 then became ‘a fully civilian club’ in 2000 and is now the largest polo club in Europe in terms of membership and number of grounds.
The club hosts around 600 matches a year with its season starting in April each year and finishing in mid September.
