The opulence surrounding King Charles and Queen Camilla’s recent state banquet in France has sparked a wave of controversy, particularly after the staggering costs were revealed.
According to figures made public by France’s auditor, the lavish affair hosted by President Emmanuel Macron at the historic Palace of Versailles set the French government back a jaw-dropping 475,000 euros, roughly 400,100 pounds.
This extravagant event, held in September 2023, not only celebrated the royal couple but also drained Macron’s entire annual budget for such occasions.
With more than 180 notable guests in attendance, the menu featured delicacies fit for royalty, including blue lobster, crab cakes, and chicken marinated in champagne.
Among the star-studded guest list were celebrities like Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant, Emma Mackey, and French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.
The catering alone cost an impressive 166,193 euros (about 141,607 pounds), while the drinks bill reached 42,515 euros (around 36,225 pounds), bringing the grand total for the soirée to 474,851 euros.
The financial implications of this event are hard to ignore.
The audit office reported a 14 percent increase in Elysee Palace expenditures compared to the previous year, with 2023 expenses surpassing 125 million euros (106 million pounds).
To stabilize the presidency’s finances moving forward, significant adjustments will be necessary starting in 2024, according to the watchdog.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the only high-profile dinner hosted by France this year.
The Louvre also welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner that cost 412,000 euros (351,007 pounds).
Such lavish expenditures come at a time when France is grappling with serious budgetary pressures, having received a formal warning from the European Union regarding its budget deficit, which stands at 5.5 percent of GDP—one of the highest among EU member states.
The national debt has also surged dramatically, now hovering around 111 percent of GDP.
This backdrop of fiscal strain makes the extravagant banquet even more contentious among the French public, who may question the priorities of their leaders.
During their intimate supper, King Charles expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tributes paid to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, noting how deeply they resonated with him and his family.
Macron’s warm hospitality during the evening was reminiscent of the strong ties shared between the two nations, and Charles reflected on the emotional weight of raising the Union flag at the Elysee Palace.
He reminisced about his parents’ first official trip to France in 1948, shortly after their marriage, recalling how they danced the night away to the enchanting tunes of Edith Piaf at the glamorous Chez Coréon.
The nostalgia was palpable as he mentioned that “La Vie en Rose” remains one of his favorite songs, pondering its impact on him even before he was born.