White House: State Banquet - from John Legend to Anna Wintour, these celebrities were there

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Chrissy Teigen, John Legend: Guest at the White House State Banquet

Photo: Sarah Silbiger/POOL/EPA

On Thursday evening (local time), US President Joe Biden hosted a state banquet in the White House for the first time during his term of office – for French President Emmanuel Macron.

The two celebrated the partnership of their countries.

Several hundred invited guests were there, including some celebrities who do not belong to the political universe: such as the singer John Legend and his wife, the model Chrissy Teigen, or the actresses Jennifer Garner and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Jazz and soul musician Jon Batiste was there for a performance.

The boss of the fashion magazine "Vogue", Anna Wintour, appeared as usual with sunglasses - an otherwise rather unusual accessory at a state dinner.

When asked by journalists how many guests would be wearing his models that evening, luxury shoe designer Christian Louboutin replied: "I have no idea, but let me check."

A state banquet is also a logistical tour de force: a huge festive pavilion was erected on the south lawn of the White House for the dinner.

The White House said it spent six months working on the dinner menu and had dozens of chefs on Thursday.

The menu featured American specialties, including Maine lobster and wine from California's Napa Valley.

And: American cheese – of all things.

The French pride themselves on their cheese.

wit/dpa