During the Queen’s Cup semi-final at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, billionaire Sunjay Kapur a close friend of Prince William – tragically died during polo match. Moments before his death he reported that he swallowed something.
Mysterious Trigger: Swallowed Bee or Heart Attack?
Early witness reports suggest Kapur swallowed a bee mid-play, with an internal sting in his mouth triggering anaphylaxis. Emergency caregivers responded swiftly, but he tragically could not be revived. A competing theory from some outlets attributes his death to a heart attack, with medical reports still pending. The cause remains under investigation.
Polo and Royal Ties
Kapur, chairman of the global auto-parts company Sona Comstar, was a familiar face in elite polo circles. He was often seen on the field with Prince William, who is an avid polo enthusiast. At the Windsor match, he represented his Aureus team. Fellow players described him as “full of life,” yet gone “in an instant”.
Legacy of Leadership and Generosity
Under Kapur’s guidance, Sona Comstar soared—widely recognized for sustainable innovation and now valued around $1.2 billion by Forbes. Numerous tributes hailed him as an inclusive figure who treated all guests equally—whether polo grooms or royalty.
Personal Life and Connections
Born in India, Kapur earned degrees from The Doon School and the University of Buckingham. He inherited Sona Comstar after his father’s death in 2015. In his personal life, he was married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor from 2003 to 2016 and had two children, Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14). In 2017, he remarried model Priya Sachdev, with whom he had a son, Azarias, aged seven.
Final Messages and Broader Impact
Only hours before his tragic collapse, Kapur had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences following an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, demonstrating his empathy and global concern. His death marks yet another blow to his family—a year after his former brother-in-law, actor Saif Ali Khan, survived a serious stabbing in India.
Next Steps and Investigation
Sona Comstar has released a heartfelt statement mourning the sudden loss of its visionary chairman. The company confirmed that post-event investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause—whether heart attack or anaphylactic reaction. Authorities and family await full medical and toxicological reports before drawing any conclusions.
Reflections on a Sudden Loss
This shocking incident highlights how unpredictable life—even for those in peak physical condition—can be. Kapur’s sudden collapse on the field serves as a painful reminder of how a minor event, like ingesting an insect, can trigger a devastating medical crisis, whether allergic or cardiovascular.
In Memory
Sunjay Kapur is remembered not just for his aggressive leadership in business, but also for his warmth, generosity, and presence—both in polo circles and royal society. His passing leaves a void among friends, colleagues, and the wider community he touched. Kapur’s death has also sparked conversations about medical preparedness at high-profile sporting events. Experts suggest increasing the availability of emergency allergy treatments, including EpiPens, at outdoor matches. Friends, family, and colleagues continue to pay tribute, highlighting his humility, leadership, and devotion to both family and charitable endeavors around the world.
