Close pal of King Charles once caught up in race gaffe dies suddenly at wedding

20 January 2023 , 15:14

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King Charles was close friends with the late Kuldip Singh Dhillon (Image: David Hartley / Rex Features)

A polo-playing close friend of King Charles III and his sons has died suddenly at the age of 72.

Indian-born Kuldip Singh Dhillon had served as chairman of the historic Cirencester Polo Club, formed in 1894, and was friendly with Camilla, the Queen Consort, and later Charles and his two sons.

Harry and William were particularly close to his son Satnam, who is a professional polo player and businessman.

Property developer Kuldip, who owned a large estate in the Gloucestershire countryside, is believed to have died at a family wedding in India this week.

He had reportedly been in good health.

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Kuldip Singh Dhillon, Chairman of Cirencester Park Polo Club at an event in 2014 (Chris Jackson Collection)

In 2009 Kuldip found himself at the centre of a race row after it emerged that Charles "affectionately" called him 'Sooty' due to his dark skin.

The nickname was branded "distasteful" and "unacceptable" even though Dhillon claimed he felt no offence.

Kuldip, who had been friends with Camilla since the early 2970s, said his name was acceptable and said "you know you have arrived when you acquire a nickname".

"I enjoy being called Sooty by my friends who I am sure universally use the name as a term of affection with no offence meant or felt," he claimed.

"The Prince of Wales is a man of zero prejudice and both his sons have always been most respectful."

Neighbours told the Mail Online that he had passed away suddenly while abroad with his English-born wife Jacqueline, with whom he shares four children.

The manager of his Gloucestershire farm, Simon Cox said the team couldn't quite believe it.

"He was a fit man with no health problems we were aware of. It's a real shock," he said.

Kuldip's son Satnam, who was a professional polo player, had flown to India to be with his grieving mother, said a gardener on the estate.

"It must have been pretty awful for her. We had a call to say Mr Dhillon had died within hours of it happening," they said.

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Prince Harry and Kuldip Singh Dhillon at a polo event in 2015 (Chris Jackson Collection)

"As far as we know he just went."

Ex-general manager of Cirencester Polo Club Mark Hayden-Kellard said they were "extremely sad" to have lost a "huge character".

"He was only 72 and in good health so it's come as quite a shock to all of us here at the Polo Club.

"We'll certainly be doing something in the coming days to honour his memory," he said.

Alice Peacock