Lavish Lobster Dinner for King Charles III Pushes French Presidency's Budget into Deficit

A lavish state dinner for King Charles III has pushed France’s Élysée Palace, the office of President Emmanuel Macron, into a significant budget deficit, according to a report by the Cour des Comptes, France’s top audit court. The event, held in September 2023 at the historic Palace of Versailles, cost nearly €475,000 (£400,000), contributing to the Élysée's overall deficit of €8.3 million.

The extravagant banquet was part of King Charles' three-day state visit to France, intended to reinforce the long-standing alliance between the two nations. The high-profile dinner saw guests such as actor Hugh Grant, football manager Arsene Wenger, and Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger enjoying a menu that included blue lobster, crab, Bresse poultry, mushroom gratin, and a selection of cheeses featuring French Comté and British Stichelton blue. Dessert was a rose macaroon cookie with rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.

The Cour des Comptes highlighted that of the total dinner cost, over €165,000 was spent on catering, while drinks, including a bottle of 2004 Château Mouton Rothschild, accounted for more than €40,000. This lavish spending was a significant factor in the 14% increase in the Élysée’s overall expenditure, which reached €125 million, compared to the previous year's 6.5% revenue growth.

The report also pointed out another costly state reception in July 2023 for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held at the Louvre, which cost the presidential office €412,000. These two events were among the largest contributors to the Élysée's budget deficit.

In its annual review, the Cour des Comptes criticized the Élysée's financial management and called for significant efforts to restore and maintain the financial balance of the presidency. The audit court acknowledged some cost-saving measures, such as the Élysée's preference for using its in-house kitchen staff for smaller events, but noted that the use of third-party caterers and decorators for grand receptions led to substantial cost increases.

Additionally, the audit report highlighted poor travel planning by the French presidency, citing a loss of over €830,000 from the cancellation of 12 non-refundable trips, including a planned trip to Germany in July 2023 that alone resulted in nearly €500,000 in losses due to transport and accommodation costs.

In response to the report, the Élysée defended its spending, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close diplomatic relations with other countries, which also host similarly grand events when receiving the French Head of State.

The lavish dinner for King Charles III and the associated costs have sparked discussions about the Élysée's spending practices and the need for more prudent financial management in the future.