I honestly don't think it's illegal since the man himself acquire the certificates himself. It's true that the duchess is the one who introduce ctc but the one whose using it is Mr. Smith. The only thing Mr. Smith needed is the approval of duchess to use her 'invention'. It's not like he stole it and he is using it properly. The Prince just think that the duchess is operating the business using an decoy to accommodate commoners. But she is not, he did not carefully think before opening his mouth doesn't he? Does he really think a Duchess with such reputation would do that without thinking of the consequences? Goodness!
I honestly don't think it's illegal since the man himself acquire the certificates himself. It's true that the duchess is the one who introduce ctc but the one whose using it is Mr. Smith. The only thing Mr. Smith needed is the approval of duchess to use her 'invention'. It's not like he stole it and he is using it properly. The Prince just think that the duchess is operating the business using an decoy to accommodate commoners. But she is not, he did not carefully think before opening his mouth doesn't he? Does he really think a Duchess with such reputation would do that without thinking of the consequences? Goodness!