King Mohammed VI of Morocco lives in luxury in France

King Mohammed of Morocco was in France during Friday's devastating earthquake, and he only released a statement after returning to Rabat the next day. His absence has drawn attention to his luxurious life in France, where he often spends time.

In 2020, he bought a mansion in the elegant 7th arrondissement of Paris, near the Eiffel Tower, from Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family and former deputy defense minister. The price was never made public, but the property was estimated to be worth 80 million euros (£68.6 million). Marie-Hélène Lundgreen, manager of Belles demeures de France, a real estate agency affiliated with Christie's International Real Estate, told Le Figaro newspaper that the sale price could have been even higher.

Built in 1912, the 10-bedroom mansion has a pool, game room, spa, beauty salon, conference room, 3,300 square foot garden and a huge terrace with stunning views of Paris.

The king also owns the Chateau de Betz, which is about 35 miles northeast of Paris.

According to locals, Mohammed visits the castle frequently, sometimes several times a year. They rarely see the monarch himself, but his entourage and bodyguards never go unnoticed.

He keeps thoroughbred horses in stables on the castle grounds and sometimes exhibits them at races in nearby Chantilly.

Despite the king's stay in France, Paris and Rabat have had an uneasy relationship in recent years, and Morocco has not taken advantage of offers of earthquake aid from its former colonial power. Catherine Colonna, France's foreign minister, on Monday downplayed the significance of the alleged rupture, insisting that Morocco itself should ask for the necessary help. The country's embassy in Paris has been empty for months and President Macron's trip to Rabat has been repeatedly postponed.