Queen Mary has come under fire from fraud and corruption experts after taking friends to the Paris Olympics on gifted passes.
Queen Mary and King Frederick have been granted four passes to the Paris Games courtesy of the International Olympic Committee, which is “fine”, according to experts.
But Jesper Olsen, president of Transparency International, an organisation that works to combat bribery and corruption, draws a line under that.
She says the Queen’s decision to use the two extra passes to allow her friends Malou Skeel and Helle Trolle to attend the games is not ideal.
He said the passes should have been used by palace staff or returned to the IOC.
This line of thinking appears to be in line with palace policy, which says they cannot accept gifts from private companies.
“When they are given (the surplus banknotes) to friends, Queen Mary stops working. The banknotes become gifts,” he said.
The Royal Household previously revealed that the Queen’s visit to the Olympics was largely private.
Queen Mary took her friends Malou Skeel and Helle Trolle to the Paris Olympics
Queen Mary is pictured with Helle Trolle (right)
This is why it was not marked on the official palace calendar, although she was there to congratulate the Danish dressage riders when they won team silver.
This gave his visit to Paris a more “official” air, according to communications expert Anna Thygesen.
The royal, 52, stepped out with friends for the Individual Dressage Freestyle Grand Prix at the Palace of Versailles in France.
Unfortunately for Mary, Denmark missed out on the medals by finishing fifth, while Germany took gold and silver and Great Britain came third.
King Frederick and Queen Mary pictured together at the opening ceremony, although only the King was listed as present at the games on official business
The royal appeared to be deeply engrossed as she watched the event, accompanied by her friend Trolle, a Danish textile designer.
She was also photographed meeting Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, and the two women smiled for a photograph alongside Trolle.
The Australian-born Queen also stopped to congratulate the Australian women’s relay team when they won gold in the pool.