A lavish lobster dinner for King Charles III cost the French president’s office €475,000 (£400,000), according to the country’s audit office.
President Emmanuel Macron spared no expense for the monarch’s visit in September, treating guests to blue lobster, crab, and a variety of cheeses.
However, the Cour des Comptes highlighted in its annual report of presidential accounts that increased spending on state receptions has contributed to a budget deficit of €8.3m.
The report emphasized that the Elysée must now make “significant efforts… to restore and sustain the financial balance of the financial balance of the presidency”.
Of the dinner’s expenses, over €165,000 was allocated to catering, and an additional €40,000 was spent on drinks.
The star-studded banquet included guests such as actor Hugh Grant, football manager Arsene Wenger, and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, who enjoyed a menu featuring blue lobster and crab, followed by Bresse poultry and mushroom gratin.
A cheese course was also served, featuring French Comté and British Stichelton blue.
For dessert, guests were treated to a rose macaroon cookie with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.
The extravagant banquet at the Palace of Versailles was part of King Charles’ three-day state visit to France, intended to strengthen the key alliance between the two nations.
Originally scheduled for March, the visit was postponed due to widespread protests over pension reform in major cities.
The King’s visit was not the only event mentioned in the report; a July 2023 banquet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre, which cost the presidential office €412,000, was also cited.
The audit office noted that due to higher spending, including these state receptions, expenditure increased by 14% compared to the previous year.
This was contrasted with only a 6.5% increase in revenue earned by the presidency.
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