Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and actor Hugh Grant were among the 170-odd guests invited to Versailles Palace to mark the King’s visit, seen as a move by Mr Macron to smooth over France-British relations since Brexit.
The luxurious banquet was held on the first night of King Charles’ three-day state visit to France and was hosted by Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
At a cost of close over €475,000 — which included a catering bill of €165,000 – the feast was executed by a team of 45 chefs led by Yannick Alléno, Anne-Sophie Pic and French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, who all have Michelin stars.
The menu took three months of planning, with the French classic foie gras ditched upon royal request.
After a starter of blue lobster and crab, inspired by Louis XIV’s tastes, the guests tucked into Mr Alléno’s poulet de Bresse with a cep gratin. For drinks, there were double magnums of chateau Mouton-Rothschild 2004 grand cru classé Pauillac, whose label was designed by Charles himself, and Pol Roger champagne.
Guests were seated around a 60m long table decorated with locally sourced roses and hydrangeas in shades of pink, purple and white, and served on plates made by the famous Porcelaine de Sevres.