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, serving guests blue lobster, crab, and a variety of cheeses.
The Cour des Comptes, in its annual report of the presidential accounts, highlighted that increased spending on state receptions had contributed to their budget deficit of €8.3 million.
The report stressed that the Elysée must make “significant efforts… to restore and sustain the financial balance of the presidency.”
The dinner expenses included over €165,000 on catering and an additional €40,000 on drinks.
The star-studded banquet at the Palace of Versailles, attended by notable figures like actor Hugh Grant, football manager Arsene Wenger, and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, featured a menu of blue lobster and crab, followed by Bresse poultry and mushroom gratin.
Guests also enjoyed a cheese course with French Comté and British Stichelton blue, and for dessert, they were served a rose macaroon cookie with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.
This extravagant event was part of King Charles’ three-day state visit to France, intended to strengthen the alliance between the two countries.
Originally planned for March, the visit was postponed due to widespread protests over pension reform.
The report also mentioned a July 2023 banquet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre, which cost the presidential office €412,000.
Due to increased spending, including on these state receptions, the audit office noted a 14% rise in expenditure compared to the previous year, while revenue for the presidency only increased by 6.5%.
Source-BBC
