A luxurious lobster dinner for King Charles III cost the French president’s office €475,000 (£400,000), according to the nation’s audit office. President Emmanuel Macron went all out for the monarch’s September visit, treating guests to blue lobster, crab, and a variety of cheeses.
However, in its annual report on presidential accounts, the Cour des Comptes cautioned that increased spending on state receptions contributed to a budget deficit of €8.3 million. The report emphasized that the Elysée must make “significant efforts… to restore and sustain the financial balance of the presidency.”
Of the dinner expenses, over €165,000 was allocated for catering and another €40,000 for drinks. The star-studded banquet, attended by celebrities 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 selection of cheeses, including French Comté and British Stichelton blue, and a rose macaroon dessert with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.
The extravagant event at the Palace of Versailles was part of King Charles’ three-day state visit to France, aimed at strengthening the alliance between the two nations. Originally scheduled 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. The audit office noted that such state receptions contributed to a 14% increase in expenditure from the previous year, compared to only a 6.5% rise in revenue for the presidency.
The Cour des Comptes highlighted the need for more prudent financial management within the president’s office, noting that the lavish expenditures on state dinners and receptions are unsustainable. The office called for a reassessment of budgeting priorities and the implementation of cost-cutting measures to avoid further deficits.
In response to the audit, the Elysée Palace acknowledged the need for fiscal responsibility but defended the expenses as necessary for maintaining France’s diplomatic relations and international image. An official statement emphasized the importance of state visits and receptions in fostering goodwill and cooperation between France and other nations.
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