The chief butler at France's presidential residence, Elysee Palace, has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating the theft of antique tableware worth hundreds of thousands of euros. The thefts, which took place over a period of two years, involved hundreds of porcelain plates, cups, and silver dishes from under the noses of President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

The suspect, identified only as Thomas M., a man in his 40s, was detained alongside his partner and an antiques dealer from Versailles, Ghislain M., 30, during simultaneous raids on two homes and a business last week. Police confirmed that all three suspects have admitted to their involvement in what authorities described as a "highly organised operation."

Investigators said many of the stolen items were recovered during the raids. Some were found neatly wrapped and stored in drawers in the chief suspect's bedroom, the Mirror reported.

An official familiar with the case said: "The scheme lasted two years before the arrests this week, all of the suspects, including the chief waiter, will appear at the Paris Criminal Court after confessing to the crimes while in custody, and pledging to return everything."

Thomas M., who had been employed at the Élysée Palace for five years, was responsible for setting tables with meticulous care and managing the palace's inventory of tableware.

Much of the stolen porcelain originated from the renowned Sèvres factory, established in 1756 by Madame de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV.

Some items were ordered as recently as 2018 for around £400,000 and all were stamped with "Élysée Palace," making them extremely difficult to sell.

Authorities believe the butler removed the items discreetly, one by one, while falsifying the palace's tableware inventory. The repeated disappearances eventually raised concerns among security staff.

Ghislain M., the antiques dealer, also works part-time as a gallery attendant at the Louvre Museum, which was targeted in a separate robbery last October, resulting in the theft of more than £75 million worth of jewellery.

While suspects in that case are now in custody, the stolen items remain missing.

The Élysée Palace theft suspects are expected to face trial at the Paris Correctional Court in February 2026. In France, even defendants who confess are entitled to a trial to determine the extent of their involvement.

Thomas M.'s lawyer, Thomas Malvolti, commented on his client's actions: "He got caught up in a kind of spiral... he even said during police custody that he was relieved it was finally over because he was starting to feel completely out of his depth."

The case has drawn widespread attention in France, highlighting vulnerabilities in the management of priceless national heritage items even in the highest offices of the state.