VISIT OF CHARLES III TO FRANCE

STATE DINNER AT THE CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES

FOR THE ROYAL COUPLE

Royal banquet, blue lobster and Swedish violin. Here is the program for Charles III's dinner at the Palace of Versailles this Wednesday evening. The British monarch is visiting France for three days with Queen Camilla, six months after having had to postpone his visit in the midst of the movement against pension reform.

At the Palace of Versailles, Emmanuel Macron will pull out all the stops. The dinner will be given this Wednesday in the Hall of Mirrors, the most emblematic place of the castle, originally intended to celebrate the omnipotence of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and to dazzle its visitors.

The choice of Versailles responds above all to a wish of Charles III, “sensitive to the idea of ​​following in the footsteps of his mother”, and to a desire to “make France shine” through one of its most prestigious sites. , says the presidency. Elizabeth II was the most received foreign head of state at Versailles, in 1948 (then Crown Princess), in 1957, when a lunch was served in her honor in the same Hall of Mirrors, and in 1972. » At Versailles, it is centuries-old France that receives,” argues historian Fabien Oppermann.

Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger and Ken Follett

Among the 150 to 180 distinguished guests, we anticipate the notable presence of members of the government, powerful captains of industry and several public figures. Like Charlotte Gainsbourg, other Franco-British actresses are invited by the Macron couple. Kristin Scott Thomas, the illustrious actress, will also be there at Versailles, accompanied by Emma Mackey, a 27-year-old young actress propelled to the top thanks to the hit Netflix series, Sex Education.
The elite of the sports world will also be represented in force. Indeed, tennis champion Amélie Mauresmo, crowned at Wimbledon in 2006, as well as Arsène Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager for 22 years, will honor with their presence at this sumptuous state dinner.

They will be accompanied by former football stars Patrick Vieira and Didier Drogba, and Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Marie-Amélie Le Fur, president of the French Paralympic and Sports Committee, as well as Florian Grill , president of the French Rugby Federation, are also among the prestigious guests.

The big bosses are in the “party”

As for politicians, Emmanuel Macron invited the President of the Senate Gérard Larcher and the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet to join him in celebrating Charles III. MPs and members of the government will be joined by former political leaders, such as Laurent Fabius, Jack Lang or Pierre Moscovici.

Large French companies will be strongly represented with Bernard Arnault (LVMH), Xavier Niel (Illiad), Leena Nair (Chanel), Catherine Macgregor (Engie), Jean-Dominique Sénard (Renault). The guest list also includes heads of Franco-British institutions as well as around fifteen politicians, including five members of the government.

Lobster, poultry and Isfahan

The menu was leaked to the press in recent days. Three great chefs will be in charge for the starter, main course and dessert. Three-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic is in charge of the entrance. She will concoct a “Carier crab and blue lobster, veil of fresh almonds”, she reveals to Le Point. This starter will be served with a dash of mint gel, confirms the Élysée.

The chef, also three stars, Yannick Alléno will offer a dish of poached Bresse poultry flavored with corn accompanied by a porcini gratin.

Master cheesemaker Bernard Antony will then offer a 30-month Comté and a Stichelton, a 100% English blue cheese.