Queen Anne Sophie's relatives, members of the Reventlow and Holstein families — popularly known as the "Reventlowske Bande" ('Reventlow Gang') — were placed in high positions. After her coronation, the king dismissed several of his previous officials and replaced them with relatives of Anne Sophie, notably her brother-in-law Ulrik Adolf Holstein, who was named Grand Chancellor, and a number of followers belonging to newly ennobled families from Germany. Her sister, the salonist Countess Christine Sophie Holstein, called "Madame Chancellor", exerted influence over affairs of state. Anne was blamed for the nepotism, but it is not known whether she actually exercised political influence, or if it was the King who wished to consolidate her role at court by appointing those loyal to her to powerful positions. In 1725, rumors pointing out the queen for handing out offices lead to an investigation by the king which resulted in several office holders, notable her brother-in-law, being exiled from court. Her personal guilt is uncertain, since Anne Sophie herself was not given any punishment and the documents of the investigation was destroyed. Her recommendation was important for anyone who sought the King's favour, and due to this, she was often used by petitioners and often successfully, something which gave her a certain amount of popularity.