Danish royal family’s gift disclosure raises transparency concerns

The Danish royal family’s recent disclosure of gifts received over the past six months has sparked a dialogue about transparency and potential gray areas in gift-giving practices. Jesper Olsen, chairman of the Danish branch of Transparency International, emphasized some commendable aspects of the announcement before noting areas for improvement.

Olsen highlighted that the list features standard diplomatic gifts, such as hymn books, a dog whip, and a silk tie from India. However, he expressed concern that tickets to sporting and cultural events, which are used solely for private enjoyment, are not classified as gifts. The royal family revised its gift-receiving guidelines earlier this year, stating that gifts from family and friends would remain undisclosed. Olsen acknowledged the importance of privacy in personal gift-giving but pointed out that some friends of the royal family are owners of major Danish companies, which raises questions about whether gifts are genuinely private or corporate in nature.

While Olsen welcomed the publication of the gift list, he believed clearer communication regarding what constitutes a private gift could help alleviate criticisms. He also remarked on the royal family’s active participation in cultural events, noting that despite their engagement, such attendance does not appear on the gift list, as the royal family does not consider their presence at private events as gifts. This lack of transparency, according to Olsen, could be improved by including these instances in the gift registries or by the royal family covering the ticket costs themselves. Attempts to obtain further comments from the royal family have not been successful.