Queen Mary has been slammed by fraud and corruption experts after taking her friends to the Paris Olympics on gifted passes.
Queen Mary and King Frederik were given four passes to the Paris games, courtesy of the International Olympics Committee, which ‘is fine’ according to experts.
But Jesper Olsen, the chairman of Transparency International, an organisation that works to fight bribery and corruption, draws the line there.
He says the Queen choosing to use the extra two passes to get her friends Malou Skeel and Helle Trolle to the games is not ideal.
He claimed the passes should have been used for palace staff or given back to the IOC.
This train of thought appears to be in line with the palace’s policy – which says they cannot accept gifts from private companies.
‘When they (the spare tickets) are given to friends, Queen Mary stops being at work. The tickets turn into gifts,’ he said.
The Royal House previously revealed the Queen’s visit to the Olympics was primarily private.
Queen Mary took her friends Malou Skeel and Helle Trolle to the Paris Olympic Games
Queen Mary is pictured with Helle Trolle (right)
This is why it wasn’t marked on the palace’s official calendar – though she was there to congratulate the Danish dressage riders when they won team silver.
This gave her visit to Paris a more ‘official’ feel, according to communications expert Anna Thygesen.
The royal, 52, stepped out with friends at the Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle at the Chateau de Versailles in France.
Unfortunately for Mary, Denmark missed out on medals coming in fifth, with Germany taking both the Gold and Silver spots and Great Britain coming in third.
King Frederik and Queen Mary pictured together at the opening ceremony – though only the King was listed as being at the games for official purposes
The royal appeared to be deeply engrossed as she watched the event, accompanied by her friend Trolle, who is a Danish textile designer.
She was also snapped meeting Danish rider Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, with the women beaming for a photograph alongside Trolle.
The Australian-born Queen also stopped to congratulate the Australian female relay team when they won gold in the pool.
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