Blue lobster, rose biscuits, and the exclusive wine Chateau Mouton Rothschild were on the menu when the French president hosted the British royal couple for dinner. The French delicacy foie gras, duck liver, had, however, been struck from the menu – King Charles has banned the specialty from British palaces due to the controversial manufacturing method.
Among the approximately 160 guests were Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and actors Hugh Grant and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The wine bill alone came to nearly half a million kronor, according to Politico.
Record deficit
The dinner, which was the highlight of a three-day state visit, contributed to the Élysée Palace – the president's residence – recording a record deficit in 2023. This is shown by figures released by the country's highest audit authority.
The Élysée Palace's expenses, which include costs for administration, personnel, security, property management, and the president's diplomatic duties, reached a total of 125 million euros (approximately 1.4 billion kronor) last year, nearly 15 percent higher than in 2022.
But King Charles' banquet in the hall of mirrors is not the only dinner that drove up the palace's expenses. The report also mentions a banquet at the National Museum Louvre for Indian President Narendra Modi, which cost nearly 4.8 million kronor.
Some savings
However, the Élysée Palace is not only being criticized for its lavish parties. The French audit authority also noted that the palace has made some savings, including by using its own staff for cocktail parties with fewer than 100 guests, instead of hiring external catering.
In response to the report, the palace says in a statement:
"France has close diplomatic relations with a large number of countries, which arrange similar events when receiving the head of state."
