Prince William's friend dies after reportedly 'swallowing a bee'

A friend of Prince William's has passed away. Businessman Sunjay Kapur died on Thursday, June 12, after "swallowing a bee" while playing polo, according to The Mirror. He was 53.

The Telegraph reported that "witnesses initially said" that Sunjay was heard saying, "I’ve swallowed something." Per the outlet, "Reports suggested he was stung by a bee in the mouth, potentially sparking anaphylactic shock and causing a heart attack. Others claimed he lost consciousness after bending over on his horse during a break in play."

© Raajessh Kashyap/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

According to the Mayo Clinic, bee and other insect stings are a common cause of anaphylaxis, which triggers "the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause you to go into shock — blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing."

A friend of Sunjay's told the Telegraph Sport: “He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the local community around his club as he employed so many people and made so many friends – he was fun, kind and generous," adding, “He didn’t distinguish between his grooms or high net worth friends – when he had a party, everyone was invited and everyone was equal.”

Sunjay is described as a polo-playing pal of Prince William, and the ex-husband of Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor. Karisma is said to have claimed that Sunjay once went to play polo with the Prince while she looked after their sick child. “(Sunjay) decided to carry on, leaving me behind to take care of our sick four-month-old son, just to play a Polo match with Prince William," Karisma is quoted as saying, via The Mirror. 

© Chris Jackson/Getty Images for TGI Sport

Sunjay served as the chairman of Sona Comstar. In a statement shared on X, the company said: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the untimely passing of Mr. Sunjay J Kapur, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar, following a sudden heart attack in England, UK, on 12th June 2025, at the age of 53. A visionary leader, Mr. Kapur played a pivotal role in shaping Sona Comstar into a global mobility technology company built on innovation, sustainability, and purpose."

"His passion, foresight, and relentless commitment to excellence inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with him," the statement continued. "Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Kapur was a devoted father, a mentor to many, and a tireless advocate for India's manufacturing and mobility sectors. His loss is deeply felt across the industry and within the Sona Parivar. Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared in due course."