Luxuries prepared for King Charles that enraged French anti-government protesters included his “favorite vintage cheese” and bottles of wine “worth hundreds” before his state visit was canceled, it emerged today.
The 30-month-old Comté and accompanying Claret were all part of a Michelin-starred banquet prepared at the Palace of Versailles as part of the state visit.
It was dramatically canceled on Friday after President Emmanuel Macron admitted he could not guarantee the safety of Charles and Camilla.
There have been riots across France for more than a week after Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.
It led to claims that the French president was more interested in living the good life with fellow heads of state than worrying about his struggling constituents.
Details of Michelin-starred banquet prepared for King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron have leaked
The banquet was to take place in the spectacular Hall of Mirrors at Versailles – once the home of French kings and queens
30-month-old Comté and accompanying Claret were part of the banquet prepared as part of the state visit
The visit was dramatically canceled on Friday after President Emmanuel Macron admitted he could not guarantee the safety of Charles and Camilla
Now details have leaked of the banquet that was to take place in the spectacular Hall of Mirrors at Versailles – once the home of French kings and queens.
“No expense was spared – Macron and Charles would dine like old world monarchs,” said a source involved in preparations for the visit that was to begin Sunday.
Michelin chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Yannick Alléno would start the feast with green asparagus.
The main course was Bresse chicken with truffles, followed by cheeses, including “a thirty-month-aged Comté, which we were told is the King’s favourite,” the source said.
It would be accompanied by “rhubarb water jelly” prepared by “master cheesemakers,” Anthony said.
The dessert – a tarte tatin with caramel and dried fruit – would be made by pastry chef Pierre Hermé.
Wine, including Claret with the cheese, would come from the cellar of the Élysée Palace, where “routine bottles cost hundreds,” the source added.
Charles and Camilla with President Emmanuel Macron in 2020. Leaked details of the lavish banquet have led to claims Macron is more interested in high life with fellow heads of state than worrying about his struggling constituents
French trade unions and anarchists protested this week after Macron forced a higher retirement age through parliament without a vote
Riot police clashed with a protester at a rally in Paris yesterday. Hundreds of officers have been injured
Michelin chefs Anne-Sophie Pic (photo) and Yannick Alléno would start the chic feast for Charles and Macron with green asparagus
Comté is a classic French cheese made from unpasteurized cow’s milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France.
Comté is aged in cellars for a minimum of 4 months and has had an AOP since 1952 – the French label for protected status.
Threats that led Macron to cancel the British state visit included the words ‘Death to the King’.
The macabre message was scrawled on walls by demonstrators, prompting him to say: “I think it would not be responsible and common sense for us to invite His Majesty the King and Queen consort for a state visit amidst the demonstrations.” . .’
Senior politicians, including Mr Macron, had received threats calling for the guillotine used to execute Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette – France’s last rightful king and queen.
The words “Death to the King” had even appeared in bright red graffiti on Place de la Concorde – the central square in Paris where Louis and his wife were murdered.
Another scribbled message read “Charles III do you know the guillotine?”
The French feared King Charles’s safety could not be guaranteed “because of his interest in mingling with the crowd,” security sources said.
A top team of officers from the SDLP Protection Service unit thoroughly studied the monarch’s profile.
“They became aware of the king’s habit of giving impromptu handshakes and talking to common people whenever he could,” said a source involved in planning four-day events.
“There are enormous social tensions in France, and there is no doubt that such good manners can be very dangerous indeed.”
The development was a great humiliation for Mr Macron, especially as a visit to Germany by the royal couple next week will go ahead as planned.
Eric Ciotti, leader of France’s Republican opposition party, said the chaotic security situation was a national disgrace.
“Charles III’s visit has been canceled by the government due to social unrest,” Mr Ciotti said.
“What an image for our country, which is not even capable of guaranteeing the safety of a head of state.”
Referring to Mr Macron as a “republican monarch”, the left-wing fiery MP and former presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon said he was “delighted to see the gathering of kings at Versailles interrupted by popular censorship”.