Kate Middleon and Prince William have £1M midas touch

The astonishing figure far exceeded the organisers’ hopes to raise about $650,000, or £420,000

Kate and husband Prince William helped to raise more than £1million in just six hours during their American tour last year.

The astonishing figure far exceeded the organisers’ hopes to raise about $650,000, or £420,000.

Celebrities including actors Billy Zane and Jennifer Love Hewitt paid thousands to rub shoulders with the young Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Santa Barbara Polo Club in California.

The £1.1million raised over the course of an afternoon is one of the most lucrative charity initiatives by the Royal Family.

Just under £1million has gone to the UK charitable foundation set up by Prince William and Prince Harry, based at St James’s Palace.

The remainder went towards the polo club’s training centre, which runs events for underprivileged local children.

Ambassador Glen Holden, a trustee of the club who helped to organise the event, said: “I am extremely proud of what we did. It was a wonderful event.

“We were proud to have the royal couple at the club and for them to do such work for a good cause and raise such goodwill for England and America.

“Everyone that interacted with the Duke and Duchess thought they were so thoughtful, caring and welcoming. They did a marvellous job and these charities are charities that Americans are very much in favour of.” Holden was the linchpin in bringing William and Kate to the club during their whirlwind 24-hour visit to the US after their tour of Canada.

The club hopes that William or brother Harry may return and make the sports event a “biannual or regular event”.

Co-organiser Geannie Sheller said: “That is something we would like to see. It has been talked about.”