France Spends €475,000 on Royal Dinner

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a lavish lobster dinner for King Charles III that cost €475,000 (£400,000), according to the Cour des Comptes, the French audit office. The extravagant banquet, held at the Palace of Versailles in September, featured blue lobster, crab, and a variety of cheeses, with notable guests such as Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant in attendance. This high expenditure contributed to a significant budget deficit of €8.3 million for the presidency, prompting the need for Macron's office to restore financial balance. The report also mentioned a prior state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Modi costing €412,000, reflecting a 14% increase in spending compared to the previous year. Macron's lavish hospitality has drawn scrutiny as France's public spending remains one of the highest relative to its economy, raising concerns over fiscal sustainability. The King’s visit, aimed at reinforcing Franco-British ties, was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to protests over pension reforms.