In September 2023, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a grand state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The event, marked by its opulence and extravagant guest list, has sparked public outrage due to its staggering cost. According to France’s public auditor, the banquet’s total expenses amounted to almost €475,000 (£400,100), a significant sum that has raised eyebrows amid France’s economic challenges.

The state banquet was attended by over 180 distinguished guests, including celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant, “Sex Education” star Emma Mackey, and French actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. The guests were treated to a sumptuous feast featuring blue lobster, crab cakes, and champagne-marinated chicken, showcasing the finest culinary offerings that France has to offer.

The breakdown of the banquet’s costs reveals a significant expenditure on food and drinks alone. Catering expenses reached €166,193 (£141,607), while drinks accounted for €42,515 (£36,225). This lavish spending was part of a broader pattern, as the French audit office reported that expenses associated with the Élysée Palace exceeded €125 million (£106 million) in 2023, marking a 14% increase over the previous year.

The revelation of such extravagant spending comes at a time when France faces economic difficulties. The European Union recently issued an official warning to France over its budget deficit, which stood at 5.5% of the gross domestic product in 2023, one of the highest figures among the EU’s 27-member bloc. The national debt has also surged to around 111% of GDP, heightening concerns about the country’s financial stability.

This state banquet, along with another costly dinner hosted for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre, which amounted to €412,000 (£351,007), has drawn criticism for its perceived excessiveness. The French public auditor has emphasized the need for “significant efforts” in 2024 to restore the financial balance of the presidency, highlighting the tension between state pageantry and fiscal responsibility.

Despite the controversy, the state banquet was not devoid of heartfelt moments. During his speech, King Charles expressed gratitude for the warm reception he and his family received in France, particularly after the passing of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. He recalled the poignant gesture of flying the Union flag at the Élysée Palace and praised President Macron’s words of tribute, which he said “meant a great deal” to his family.

King Charles remarked, “Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late queen. She held France in the greatest affection, as, of course, did my grandmother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.”

He also fondly reminisced about his parents’ first official visit to France in 1948, shortly after their wedding, where they danced the night away at the glamorous Chez Carrere, serenaded by the legendary Edith Piaf.

In a diplomatic exchange of gifts, King Charles presented President Macron with a book of photographs documenting their relationship, along with a complete edition of French philosopher Voltaire’s writings. In return, Macron gifted the monarch a golden coin featuring Charles’s portrait and a prize-winning French novel, symbolizing the enduring relationship between the two nations.

The lavish state banquet at Versailles has undoubtedly left a mark on the French public discourse, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining diplomatic traditions and addressing pressing economic concerns. As France grapples with its financial challenges, the scrutiny over such extravagant expenditures serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in state affairs.

While the evening was a display of cultural and diplomatic grandeur, it also underscored the ongoing debate over the role of royal pageantry in contemporary governance. As France and the United Kingdom continue to navigate their shared history and future, the lessons from this event may shape the approach to statecraft in the years to come.