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What war crimes trial? Business as usual for Naomi Campbell as she relaxes on boat in millionaires' playground
By Mail Reporter
If the inconvenience of being dragged before a war crimes court has left any lasting impression on Naomi Campbell, it would be very hard to tell.
The supermodel was back to business as usual this week as she relaxed in the millionaires' playground of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, was spotted on the launch of a yacht with her boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Bar Refaeli.
Under scrutiny: Campbell arrived in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, shortly after giving testimony to the Charles Taylor war crimes tribunal in The Hague
The actor famously starred in the film Blood Diamond, which focused on the trade in illicit gems from war zones in Africa.
It would appear the irony was lost on Miss Campbell, who was accused in court of accepting conflict stones from African warlord Charles Taylor.
On Sunday night, Campbell attended a party at the ultra-exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, looked stunning in a see-through white lace dress trimmed with pink feathers.
And for a woman who boasted in court of receiving gems at all hours of the day and night, the knockout ring on her right hand was probably de rigueur.
Campbell was at the event - the birthday party of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi - with Mr Doronin, Kevin Spacey, model Elisabetta Gregoraci, Janet Jackson and Formula One racing boss Flavio Briatore, who also owns the club and had a high-profile tempestuous relationship with Campbell nine years ago.
More...'A complete pack of lies': Naomi Campbell's ex-agent accused of making up story about the supermodel and blood diamonds
When Campbell appeared at The Hague last Thursday, she claimed her presence at the Liberian dictator's trial was an inconvenience, an assertion which drew gasps from the court.
Night on the town: Naomi Campbell chats with ex-boyfriend Flavio Briatore and his model wife Elisabetta Gregoraci (left) at his exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia
In the money: Campbell (third from right) with (left to right) Elisabetta Gregoraci, Leonardo DiCaprio, Philip Green, her boyfriend Vladimir Doronin and an unidentified female guest
Campbell then went on to say she had received 'two or three' diamonds in the middle of the night but did not know they were from Taylor.
She said she had handed them over to Nelson Mandela's children's charity, which had been hosting the event she attended with the former Liberian president.
The model's evidence was yesterday contradicted by both actress Mia Farrow and Campbell's former agent Carole White.
They claimed she had always known that the diamonds were from Charles Taylor.
High profile: Campbell also spent time chatting with actor Kevin Spacey at the party in honour of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi
Janet Jackson, seen here talking to other guests, was also among the party
By Mail Reporter
If the inconvenience of being dragged before a war crimes court has left any lasting impression on Naomi Campbell, it would be very hard to tell.
The supermodel was back to business as usual this week as she relaxed in the millionaires' playground of Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, was spotted on the launch of a yacht with her boyfriend, Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin, Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Bar Refaeli.
The actor famously starred in the film Blood Diamond, which focused on the trade in illicit gems from war zones in Africa.
It would appear the irony was lost on Miss Campbell, who was accused in court of accepting conflict stones from African warlord Charles Taylor.
On Sunday night, Campbell attended a party at the ultra-exclusive Billionaires club in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Campbell, 40, looked stunning in a see-through white lace dress trimmed with pink feathers.
And for a woman who boasted in court of receiving gems at all hours of the day and night, the knockout ring on her right hand was probably de rigueur.
Campbell was at the event - the birthday party of jeweller Fawaz Gruosi - with Mr Doronin, Kevin Spacey, model Elisabetta Gregoraci, Janet Jackson and Formula One racing boss Flavio Briatore, who also owns the club and had a high-profile tempestuous relationship with Campbell nine years ago.
More...'A complete pack of lies': Naomi Campbell's ex-agent accused of making up story about the supermodel and blood diamonds
When Campbell appeared at The Hague last Thursday, she claimed her presence at the Liberian dictator's trial was an inconvenience, an assertion which drew gasps from the court.
Campbell then went on to say she had received 'two or three' diamonds in the middle of the night but did not know they were from Taylor.
She said she had handed them over to Nelson Mandela's children's charity, which had been hosting the event she attended with the former Liberian president.
The model's evidence was yesterday contradicted by both actress Mia Farrow and Campbell's former agent Carole White.
They claimed she had always known that the diamonds were from Charles Taylor.
Honeymoon on the high seas: Newlywed Alicia Keys displays baby bump aboard her luxury yacht in France
By Andrea Magrath
At six months pregnant, a bit of rest and relaxation is always welcome.
So for newlywed Alicia Keys, sun-filled days lounging aboard a luxury yacht in France is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Glowing in a white bikini that showed off her burgeoning bump, the mother-to-be dipped her toes in the sea and sunbathed on deck alongside her new husband.
Glowing: Alicia Keys showed off her burgeoning baby bump on board a luxury yacht in France
Honeymoon with friends: The newlywed and her husband Swizz Beatz invited friends including Queen Latifah aboard after tying the knot in Corsica last week
Happy couple: Alicia, pictured here with Swizz Beatz, is six months pregnant and due in November
The singer married rap producer Swizz Beatz this week in France, ahead of their baby's impending birth in November.
The nuptials were held in Corsica in front of close friends including Queen Latifah and U2 rocker Bono, and presided over by Deepak Chopra.
The happy couple invited Queen Latifah and a selected few to join them on board for their honeymoon, and the group look to be soaking up the rays in style.
Pregnant: Keys stayed on board the yacht last week as her husband partied in port, showering clubbers with Cristal champagne in celebration
Beauty time: Alicia tends to her hair as she soaks up the rays onboard yacht Obsession
Floating palace: The three-storey yacht ferrying Alicia and her friends around the Mediterranean
At one point, the Empire State Of Mind singer cautiously climbed down the ladder and floated in the ocean with Queen Latifah. The friends chatted as they drifted on buoys.
More...Queen Latifah shares a cuddle with her fitness trainer Janette Jenkins
A baby at 66 for Rod Stewart: The rock star is to become a dad... for the eighth time
Swizz Beats was by his wife's side on the yacht, but stayed in the shade of the top deck, snoozing and reading a novel.
The rap producer, real name Kaseem Dean, ventured into town when they moored in Porto Cervo, Italy to party with friends.
Stylish: The 29-year-old looked chic in a white bikini that showed off her growing bump
Floating away: The singer and Queen Latifah cautiously floated in the ocean near the yacht
Girl time: Queen Latifah (left) joined in the fun after attending her close friend's wedding last week along with Bono and Deepak Chopra
Leaving pregnant Alicia behind, he spent a champagne-fuelled night at Billionaire disco, where he celebrated his nuptials by spraying fellow revellers with Cristal.
Days before, he wore a white Tom Ford tuxedo to tie the the knot with the Fallin' singer. Alicia walked down the aisle in a flowing white Vera Wang gown and held a bouquet of purple calla lilies.
The couple began dating in 2008, but Beatz has just finalised his divorce from his first wife of six years, singer Mashonda Tifrere, who is the mother of one of his three children.
Love is all around: Latifah put on her own public display of affection with girlfriend Jeannette Jenkins aboard Alicia's honeymooners yacht
Honeymooner: Alicia seen out and about in France after her time on the yacht
By Andrea Magrath
At six months pregnant, a bit of rest and relaxation is always welcome.
So for newlywed Alicia Keys, sun-filled days lounging aboard a luxury yacht in France is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Glowing in a white bikini that showed off her burgeoning bump, the mother-to-be dipped her toes in the sea and sunbathed on deck alongside her new husband.
The singer married rap producer Swizz Beatz this week in France, ahead of their baby's impending birth in November.
The nuptials were held in Corsica in front of close friends including Queen Latifah and U2 rocker Bono, and presided over by Deepak Chopra.
The happy couple invited Queen Latifah and a selected few to join them on board for their honeymoon, and the group look to be soaking up the rays in style.
At one point, the Empire State Of Mind singer cautiously climbed down the ladder and floated in the ocean with Queen Latifah. The friends chatted as they drifted on buoys.
More...Queen Latifah shares a cuddle with her fitness trainer Janette Jenkins
A baby at 66 for Rod Stewart: The rock star is to become a dad... for the eighth time
Swizz Beats was by his wife's side on the yacht, but stayed in the shade of the top deck, snoozing and reading a novel.
The rap producer, real name Kaseem Dean, ventured into town when they moored in Porto Cervo, Italy to party with friends.
Leaving pregnant Alicia behind, he spent a champagne-fuelled night at Billionaire disco, where he celebrated his nuptials by spraying fellow revellers with Cristal.
Days before, he wore a white Tom Ford tuxedo to tie the the knot with the Fallin' singer. Alicia walked down the aisle in a flowing white Vera Wang gown and held a bouquet of purple calla lilies.
The couple began dating in 2008, but Beatz has just finalised his divorce from his first wife of six years, singer Mashonda Tifrere, who is the mother of one of his three children.
Can't afford your own super-yacht? No problem. This summer, the stars are simply hijacking someone else's!
By Nicole Lampert
Who needs five-star hotels?
This year, the A-list is holidaying aboard super-yachts (anything over 150ft) and even mega-yachts (300ft and over). Even Prince Andrew is in on the act — he was pictured bare-chested on the 154ft Yalla yacht this week as he cruised around Sardinia.
Onboard, celebrities holiday in the lap of luxury: swimming pools and spas, helipads and butlers, satellite communication and medical centres.
But in a case of the haves and the have yachts, the boats aren’t owned by the celebrities — they are chartered or borrowed from an even richer mate.
So who’s succumbed to the celebrity yachting bug? NICOLE LAMPERT investigates...
THE BECKHAMS
In the pink: David and Victoria holidayed on the £17million yacht RC, owned by Roberto Cavalli
They may be worth £145 million, but why charter a yacht if you can borrow one?
Designer Roberto Cavalli’s £20 million, 133ft yacht, named after himself, may be the height of luxury, but you need to keep your shades on.
The boat stands out in any marina as it is painted iridescent purple, green and gold.
The interiors are equally loud — pillows have the RC monogram and the furniture is covered in clashing animal prints.
Befitting a yacht that has been loaned to Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Sharon Stone, there are three staff to every guest. It has 15 bedrooms, a gym, whirlpool spa and fur coats if the weather turns cool.
The downside? You can only wear Cavalli clothes on board.
MADONNA
Material girl: Madonna and her children have been afloat on Roman Abramovich's boat Luna
Charitably, he’s not charging her to borrow his £115 million super-yacht Luna.
But don’t think this is a pleasure cruise: it’s moored off Cannes, where Madonna is directing her film W.E.
The singer — accompanied by her boyfriend Jesus Luz and children Lourdes, David Banda and Mercy — has been moaning about the heat and has covered herself from head to foot in a bid to avoid wrinkles.
But friends insist she loves life on board. ‘She says it’s like having a floating seven-star hotel all to herself,’ says one source.
The 192ft Luna was launched in April and has two helicopter pads, a covered pool, staffed spa, medical centre and hot tub.
There are more than 40 staff, including butlers and a macrobiotic chef. Windows are made of bulletproof glass while each bedroom has its own cinema-size TV.
SIMON COWELL
It's a knockout: Simon Cowell's yacht has been nicknamed 'the fightboat' because he has his ex-girlfriends Sinita and Jackie St Clair onboard
It's been nicknamed the ‘fight boat’ because as well as fiancee Mezhgan Hussein, The X Factor judge has invited his warring ex-girlfriends Sinitta and Jackie St Clair.
But peace has broken out during drunken nights cruising the Med in the 196ft super-yacht. Perhaps it’s thanks to fellow guest hypnotist Paul McKenna or the party game spoofing X Factor auditions.
It costs £625,000 a week, but for that you get an observation lounge with panoramic views, hot tub, barbecue, gym and a ‘sky lounge’ with a retractable roof.
The crew of 14, including a chef, should ensure that everything — jealous fights aside — runs smoothly.
PARIS HILTON
'Heaven on the water': Paris Hilton has fallen in love with the 300ft Tatoosh mega-yacht owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen
Even this millionairess has been left awestruck by the 300ft Tatoosh mega-yacht.
Paris and her sister Nicky are on a month-long holiday on the £80 million boat owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
It's thought he's loaned it for free, but it normally costs £400,000 a week to hire.
'The best summer of my life,' Paris has written online. 'Our yacht is incredible! I'm in heaven on the water. Definitely the biggest and best yacht everywhere we go. Love it! Huge!'
The Tatoosh has a pool, hot tub, cinema, basketball court, recording studio, spa, massage room, gym, games room and helicopter pad. No wonder it needs a crew of 30.
SEAL & HEIDI KLUM
Indian summer: Heidi Klum and Seal invited family and friends to holiday with them in Saint Tropez - which is easy when the yacht has 32 beds
The model and her British musician husband are forking out £400,000 a week to take family and friends around the South of France on mega-yacht the Indian Empress.
The 311ft boat is owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya and is a palace on water, with Renoirs and Chagalls on the walls and Elton John's baby grand in the stateroom.
The boat sleeps 32 guests and 42 crew and has a gym, beauty salon, sauna, steam room, whirlpool spa and swimming pool.
While the party makes the most of the yacht's windsurfers, kayaks, waterskis and scuba diving gear, the crew will be keeping a lookout for Heidi's millionaire ex, former F1 boss Flavio Briatore, the father of her six-year-old daughter Leni.
'Flavio is often in and around St Tropez, but he and Heidi have a strained relationship and they want to make sure they avoid any ports he may be at,' says a source.
'They don't want anything spoiling their lovely family break.'
KATE MOSS
Green with envy: Kate Moss and Jamie Hince have borrowed the £32 million super-yacht belonging to Sir Philip Green
It's great having rich friends - Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green, worth £4 billion, has offered his wayward protegee Kate Moss and her boyfriend Jamie Hince the use of his 206ft, £32 million super-yacht, the Lionheart.
A fortnight on the high seas is just what the model needs while her London home is refurbished after a flood in the basement.
But even this lavish gift comes with a problem: Kate wants to explore the African coastline while her rocker boyfriend-fears that the size of the yacht will make them a target for Somali pirates and so prefers the idea of cruising around the Med.
The crew of 30 will need to ensure there is plenty of champagne on board. According to sources, Kate likes to spend most of her time on board drinking Dom Perignon.
The boat, whose former guests have included Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Lopez, has ten bedrooms, a swimming pool, hot tub and cinema.
ANGELINA & BRAD
In Depp water: Brad and Angelina are looking forward to a summer of fun with their six children aboard the Vajoliroja
Angelina and Johnny Depp must have got on swimmingly when making the film The Tourist - he has offered her and Brad his 156ft super-yacht for a break.
'He's very generous and is sure their six children will love it,' says a source. 'Brad can't wait to dive off the top of the boat and get the older kids on jet skis.'
The boat is available for mere mortals to charter at £83,000 a week. It's named Vajoliroja after the whole family - girlfriend Vanessa Paradis, Johnny and their children Lily Rose and Jack - and is decorated in a style described as Art Deco meets Orient Express.
There's lots of room for Brangelina's army of nannies.
GUY RITCHIE
No ship, Sherlock? Director Guy Ritchie had to hire the 234ft Utopia to lark around on jet skis with son Rocco, despite the success of Sherlock Holmes
His ex Madonna may be making waves on the 192ft Luna yacht, but Guy Richie has hired one bigger: the 234ft Utopia.
The Sherlock Holmes director has been showing off his new girlfriend, the model Jackie Ainsley, as he holidays off Spain on board the £30 million super-yacht, which costs £300,000 a week to rent.
He and his eight-year-old son Rocco have been larking about on jet skis.
The yacht is thought to be owned by Roger Jenkins, the Barclays executive who earns £40 million a year.
The floors are marble, the walls are lined with silk and the leather handrails are by the people who make the steering wheels on Bentleys. There is a whirlpool pool and the main suite has a hot tub.
With six crew per guest, every whim can be catered for.
EVA LONGORIA
Desperate yacht-wife: Eva Longoria chartered the £70,000-a-week boat to sail around Italy and Croatia with Tony Parker
The Desperate Housewives star and her basketball star husband Tony Parker are getting used to dry land after a fortnight cruising the Italian and Croatian coasts.
The £10 million, 135ft Ladyship cost £70,000 a week to hire, but it was worth it for six guest bedrooms, a crew of eight, diving equipment, jet skis, kayaks and plasma TVs - but apparently not a basketball court.
By Nicole Lampert
Who needs five-star hotels?
This year, the A-list is holidaying aboard super-yachts (anything over 150ft) and even mega-yachts (300ft and over). Even Prince Andrew is in on the act — he was pictured bare-chested on the 154ft Yalla yacht this week as he cruised around Sardinia.
Onboard, celebrities holiday in the lap of luxury: swimming pools and spas, helipads and butlers, satellite communication and medical centres.
But in a case of the haves and the have yachts, the boats aren’t owned by the celebrities — they are chartered or borrowed from an even richer mate.
So who’s succumbed to the celebrity yachting bug? NICOLE LAMPERT investigates...
THE BECKHAMS
Designer Roberto Cavalli’s £20 million, 133ft yacht, named after himself, may be the height of luxury, but you need to keep your shades on.
The boat stands out in any marina as it is painted iridescent purple, green and gold.
The interiors are equally loud — pillows have the RC monogram and the furniture is covered in clashing animal prints.
Befitting a yacht that has been loaned to Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey and Sharon Stone, there are three staff to every guest. It has 15 bedrooms, a gym, whirlpool spa and fur coats if the weather turns cool.
The downside? You can only wear Cavalli clothes on board.
MADONNA
The Material Girl may be worth £300 million, but that’s chicken feed compared to Chelsea boss Roman
Abramovich’s £11 billion. Charitably, he’s not charging her to borrow his £115 million super-yacht Luna.
But don’t think this is a pleasure cruise: it’s moored off Cannes, where Madonna is directing her film W.E.
The singer — accompanied by her boyfriend Jesus Luz and children Lourdes, David Banda and Mercy — has been moaning about the heat and has covered herself from head to foot in a bid to avoid wrinkles.
But friends insist she loves life on board. ‘She says it’s like having a floating seven-star hotel all to herself,’ says one source.
The 192ft Luna was launched in April and has two helicopter pads, a covered pool, staffed spa, medical centre and hot tub.
There are more than 40 staff, including butlers and a macrobiotic chef. Windows are made of bulletproof glass while each bedroom has its own cinema-size TV.
SIMON COWELL
It's been nicknamed the ‘fight boat’ because as well as fiancee Mezhgan Hussein, The X Factor judge hasBut peace has broken out during drunken nights cruising the Med in the 196ft super-yacht. Perhaps it’s thanks to fellow guest hypnotist Paul McKenna or the party game spoofing X Factor auditions.
It costs £625,000 a week, but for that you get an observation lounge with panoramic views, hot tub, barbecue, gym and a ‘sky lounge’ with a retractable roof.
The crew of 14, including a chef, should ensure that everything — jealous fights aside — runs smoothly.
PARIS HILTON
Even this millionairess has been left awestruck by the 300ft Tatoosh mega-yacht.Paris and her sister Nicky are on a month-long holiday on the £80 million boat owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
It's thought he's loaned it for free, but it normally costs £400,000 a week to hire.
'The best summer of my life,' Paris has written online. 'Our yacht is incredible! I'm in heaven on the water. Definitely the biggest and best yacht everywhere we go. Love it! Huge!'
The Tatoosh has a pool, hot tub, cinema, basketball court, recording studio, spa, massage room, gym, games room and helicopter pad. No wonder it needs a crew of 30.
SEAL & HEIDI KLUM
The model and her British musician husband are forking out £400,000 a week to take family and friendsThe 311ft boat is owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya and is a palace on water, with Renoirs and Chagalls on the walls and Elton John's baby grand in the stateroom.
The boat sleeps 32 guests and 42 crew and has a gym, beauty salon, sauna, steam room, whirlpool spa and swimming pool.
While the party makes the most of the yacht's windsurfers, kayaks, waterskis and scuba diving gear, the crew will be keeping a lookout for Heidi's millionaire ex, former F1 boss Flavio Briatore, the father of her six-year-old daughter Leni.
'Flavio is often in and around St Tropez, but he and Heidi have a strained relationship and they want to make sure they avoid any ports he may be at,' says a source.
'They don't want anything spoiling their lovely family break.'
KATE MOSS
It's great having rich friends - Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green, worth £4 billion, has offered his waywardA fortnight on the high seas is just what the model needs while her London home is refurbished after a flood in the basement.
But even this lavish gift comes with a problem: Kate wants to explore the African coastline while her rocker boyfriend-fears that the size of the yacht will make them a target for Somali pirates and so prefers the idea of cruising around the Med.
The crew of 30 will need to ensure there is plenty of champagne on board. According to sources, Kate likes to spend most of her time on board drinking Dom Perignon.
The boat, whose former guests have included Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Lopez, has ten bedrooms, a swimming pool, hot tub and cinema.
ANGELINA & BRAD
Angelina and Johnny Depp must have got on swimmingly when making the film The Tourist - he has offered'He's very generous and is sure their six children will love it,' says a source. 'Brad can't wait to dive off the top of the boat and get the older kids on jet skis.'
The boat is available for mere mortals to charter at £83,000 a week. It's named Vajoliroja after the whole family - girlfriend Vanessa Paradis, Johnny and their children Lily Rose and Jack - and is decorated in a style described as Art Deco meets Orient Express.
There's lots of room for Brangelina's army of nannies.
GUY RITCHIE
The Sherlock Holmes director has been showing off his new girlfriend, the model Jackie Ainsley, as he holidays off Spain on board the £30 million super-yacht, which costs £300,000 a week to rent.
He and his eight-year-old son Rocco have been larking about on jet skis.
The yacht is thought to be owned by Roger Jenkins, the Barclays executive who earns £40 million a year.
The floors are marble, the walls are lined with silk and the leather handrails are by the people who make the steering wheels on Bentleys. There is a whirlpool pool and the main suite has a hot tub.
With six crew per guest, every whim can be catered for.
EVA LONGORIA
The Desperate Housewives star and her basketball star husband Tony Parker are getting used to dry landThe £10 million, 135ft Ladyship cost £70,000 a week to hire, but it was worth it for six guest bedrooms, a crew of eight, diving equipment, jet skis, kayaks and plasma TVs - but apparently not a basketball court.
Spanish police close public beach for Michelle Obama's £250,000 Spanish holiday
By Mail Foreign Service
Michelle Obama today faced a fresh wave of attacks over her lavish break in Spain with 40 friends, which could easily cost U.S. taxpayers a staggering £50,000 a day.
The First Lady has been lambasted for her extravagance at a time when the economy is still struggling. One blogger went so far as to brand her a modern-day Marie Antoinette.
And her critics will be further annoyed when they learn that the president's wife had a Spanish beach closed off today so that she, her daughter and their entourage could go for a swim.
Spanish police cleared off a stretch of beach at the Villa Padierna Hotel in Marbella after the Obamas had finished a busy day of sightseeing.
Cordoned off: Police officers keep onlookers away today from the site where U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha are staying at the Beach Club of Villa Padierna Hotel in Marbella
Police used palm trees and police tape to mark off the boundaries of a 100-yard expanse for the American delegation. On either side, onlookers gawked - and police occasionally stopped and searched sun lovers if they strayed too close to the private party.
It is unclear whether the police presence was paid for by Spain - or whether a nasty invoice could be landing in the lap of the American taxpayer.
The exact cost of the trip is unclear as Mrs Obama, 46, and her friends are footing personal expenses themselves - which is just as well.
For a start, they will be paying for the 60 rooms booked at the 129-room Hotel Villa Padierna. With basic rooms starting around £380 each, the nightly bill will be no less than £22,800.
Whether or not the taxpaying American will be paying for meals, they will definitely be footing the bill for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, her personal staff - and the use of presidential jet Air Force Two.
The per diems for the secret service team runs at around £172 each, which amounts to nearly £60,000 for the length of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at £91,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and who might cost considerably more per day, also have to be taken into account.
The American public will also cover the cost of the only official part of the holiday, a visit to the Spanish royal family on the island of Majorca.
This will involve transport there and back for the entourage - as well as travel, accommodation, food and expenses for all while on the island.
Conservative estimates already put the total cost at £150,000. With Majorca to come, the bill will be more like £250,000.
Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer.
No ordinary holidaymaker: Michelle Obama (in bright top with dark belt) is surrounded by a substantial security detail (wearing sunglasses) in the city of Granada, Spain
These include a trip to Los Angeles in June, a visit to the Florida's oil-hit Gulf Coast next weekend and a ten-day trip to Martha's Vineyard later this month.
White House press secretary Robin Gibbs was asked at a briefing if there were any concerns about how the visit was being viewed by the public.
'The First Lady is on a private trip,' he said. 'She is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip. I think I'd leave it at that.'
Quiet moment: Michelle (left) and her younger daughter Sasha toured the stunning Alhambra Palace as part of their visit to Granada
Criticism: The First Lady has been attacked for taking such a lavish and high profile trip at a time of economic difficulty
Yesterday New York Daily News columnist and blogger Andrea Tantaros likened the President’s wife to French queen Marie Antoinette, who was famously extravagant with her spending.
Tantaros wrote: ‘To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another. Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.’
She accused the Obamas of hypocrisy for preaching the values of sacrifice and austerity to Americans while seemingly refusing to heed their own advice.
She said: ‘Instead, Michelle Obama seems more like a modern-day Marie Antoinette… than an average mother of two.’
She added: ‘I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard. We all need downtime - the First Family included.
Fan club: Granada residents hold signs in the street supporting Mrs Obama and welcoming her to their city
People had turned out in their hundreds to welcome the American First Lady and her daughter
‘It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonisation of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy and perpetuates a disconnect between the country and its leaders'
Mrs Obama, who has been accompanied by her youngest daughter, Saha, nine, spent yesterday in the historic city of Granada.
She visited the spectacular Alhambra Palace, the 16th century cathedral and the pretty Albaicin neighbourhood, famous for its narrow winding streets and small squares
A crowd of several hundred people shouted 'Obama!' and 'guapa!' (beautiful) as the Obamas entered the cathedral with a large security detail in tow.
The party also had time for ice cream in the main street Gran Via.
Mrs Obama later attended a flamenco performance by Juan Andres Maya where other members of the audience were delighted when she tried out some dance moves at the end.
Private citizen: Mrs Obama (seen here in Granada) is paying all personal expenses herself. Her security detail and transport are paid for by the U.S. taxpayer
Earlier in the week, Mrs Obama had strolled around the shop's of Marbella's old town with daughter Sasha in tow.
The First Lady was surrounded by burly Secret Service agents as hundreds of locals sought to catch a glimpse of her in the Costa del Sol resort.
Wearing black trousers, a black and white top and dark sunglasses, the 46-year-old walked through Marbella's cobbled streets, nipping into a number of shops before having dinner in an Andalusian restaurant.
Mrs Obama arrived by plane at Malaga airport yesterday/on Wednesday morning and was driven in a 14-car convoy to the five star Hotel Villa Padierna, where her entourage has reserved 60 of the 129 rooms.
She told owner Ricardo Arranz she had come to 'relax and unwind'.
Presence: Mrs Obama and her entourage go walkabout in Marbella on Wednesday
The hotel is nestled in the hills overlooking Marbella, and at 6.30pm she and nine-year-old Sasha were driven to the historic centre for their shopping trip.
Locals and British expats and holidaymakers crammed the streets or leaned out from balconies to get the best shot of the First Lady on their cameras. Some even climbed orange trees to get a better look.
Mrs Obama bought two white Egyptian cotton dresses for 84 euros (70 pounds) from a shop called Blanc du Nil after asking shopkeeper Irene Aivar for advice on styles and sizes.
She then took a business card from another shop called Samira, which sells silverware and crafts, before heading to a restaurant for dinner at 8pm.
They had a reservation for 14 people at the Buenaventura Plaza restaurant, reportedly eating lobster with rice and oysters followed by a Spanish bread pudding called torrijas.
President Barack Obama, who turned 49 on Wednesday, is not expected to join them in Spain, and oldest daughter Malia, 12, is at a summer camp in the US.
Reports in Spain said Mr Obama telephoned his wife at the restaurant, and she sang him Happy Birthday down the phone.
The party enjoyed red wine with the main course and a local sweet white wine with dessert before retiring to the hotel at 10pm.
Luxurious: The Obamas and their party are staying at the Villa Padierna in Marbella, which is rated as one of the top hotels in the world
Calvacade: The First Lady's convoy arriving in Marbella on Tuesday after she travelled from the States on Air Force Two
By Mail Foreign Service
Michelle Obama today faced a fresh wave of attacks over her lavish break in Spain with 40 friends, which could easily cost U.S. taxpayers a staggering £50,000 a day.
The First Lady has been lambasted for her extravagance at a time when the economy is still struggling. One blogger went so far as to brand her a modern-day Marie Antoinette.
And her critics will be further annoyed when they learn that the president's wife had a Spanish beach closed off today so that she, her daughter and their entourage could go for a swim.
Spanish police cleared off a stretch of beach at the Villa Padierna Hotel in Marbella after the Obamas had finished a busy day of sightseeing.
Police used palm trees and police tape to mark off the boundaries of a 100-yard expanse for the American delegation. On either side, onlookers gawked - and police occasionally stopped and searched sun lovers if they strayed too close to the private party.
It is unclear whether the police presence was paid for by Spain - or whether a nasty invoice could be landing in the lap of the American taxpayer.
The exact cost of the trip is unclear as Mrs Obama, 46, and her friends are footing personal expenses themselves - which is just as well.
For a start, they will be paying for the 60 rooms booked at the 129-room Hotel Villa Padierna. With basic rooms starting around £380 each, the nightly bill will be no less than £22,800.
Sun, sea and search: A Spanish police officer inspects the bag of a local bather. Anyone who strayed too close to the Obama party were stopped
Meals will also be picked up by the Obamas and friends.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo detailed the Obamas' dinner on their first night in Spain. The tapas menu for the delegation included sea bass tartare, strawberry gazpacho and sardines, followed by a main course of lobster with seaweed risotto.
The meal cost about £40 a head, according to El Mundo - which means a bill topping £1,600 would have hit the table if all 40 friends dined together.
Stretched over five nights that's £8,000 for dinner alone.
Whether or not the taxpaying American will be paying for meals, they will definitely be footing the bill for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, her personal staff - and the use of presidential jet Air Force Two.
The per diems for the secret service team runs at around £172 each, which amounts to nearly £60,000 for the length of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at £91,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and who might cost considerably more per day, also have to be taken into account.
The American public will also cover the cost of the only official part of the holiday, a visit to the Spanish royal family on the island of Majorca.
This will involve transport there and back for the entourage - as well as travel, accommodation, food and expenses for all while on the island.
Conservative estimates already put the total cost at £150,000. With Majorca to come, the bill will be more like £250,000.
Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer.
These include a trip to Los Angeles in June, a visit to the Florida's oil-hit Gulf Coast next weekend and a ten-day trip to Martha's Vineyard later this month.
White House press secretary Robin Gibbs was asked at a briefing if there were any concerns about how the visit was being viewed by the public.
'The First Lady is on a private trip,' he said. 'She is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip. I think I'd leave it at that.'
Yesterday New York Daily News columnist and blogger Andrea Tantaros likened the President’s wife to French queen Marie Antoinette, who was famously extravagant with her spending.
Tantaros wrote: ‘To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another. Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.’
She accused the Obamas of hypocrisy for preaching the values of sacrifice and austerity to Americans while seemingly refusing to heed their own advice.
She said: ‘Instead, Michelle Obama seems more like a modern-day Marie Antoinette… than an average mother of two.’
She added: ‘I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard. We all need downtime - the First Family included.
‘It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonisation of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy and perpetuates a disconnect between the country and its leaders'
Mrs Obama, who has been accompanied by her youngest daughter, Saha, nine, spent yesterday in the historic city of Granada.
She visited the spectacular Alhambra Palace, the 16th century cathedral and the pretty Albaicin neighbourhood, famous for its narrow winding streets and small squares
A crowd of several hundred people shouted 'Obama!' and 'guapa!' (beautiful) as the Obamas entered the cathedral with a large security detail in tow.
The party also had time for ice cream in the main street Gran Via.
Mrs Obama later attended a flamenco performance by Juan Andres Maya where other members of the audience were delighted when she tried out some dance moves at the end.
Earlier in the week, Mrs Obama had strolled around the shop's of Marbella's old town with daughter Sasha in tow.
The First Lady was surrounded by burly Secret Service agents as hundreds of locals sought to catch a glimpse of her in the Costa del Sol resort.
Wearing black trousers, a black and white top and dark sunglasses, the 46-year-old walked through Marbella's cobbled streets, nipping into a number of shops before having dinner in an Andalusian restaurant.
Mrs Obama arrived by plane at Malaga airport yesterday/on Wednesday morning and was driven in a 14-car convoy to the five star Hotel Villa Padierna, where her entourage has reserved 60 of the 129 rooms.
She told owner Ricardo Arranz she had come to 'relax and unwind'.
The hotel is nestled in the hills overlooking Marbella, and at 6.30pm she and nine-year-old Sasha were driven to the historic centre for their shopping trip.
Locals and British expats and holidaymakers crammed the streets or leaned out from balconies to get the best shot of the First Lady on their cameras. Some even climbed orange trees to get a better look.
Mrs Obama bought two white Egyptian cotton dresses for 84 euros (70 pounds) from a shop called Blanc du Nil after asking shopkeeper Irene Aivar for advice on styles and sizes.
She then took a business card from another shop called Samira, which sells silverware and crafts, before heading to a restaurant for dinner at 8pm.
They had a reservation for 14 people at the Buenaventura Plaza restaurant, reportedly eating lobster with rice and oysters followed by a Spanish bread pudding called torrijas.
President Barack Obama, who turned 49 on Wednesday, is not expected to join them in Spain, and oldest daughter Malia, 12, is at a summer camp in the US.
Reports in Spain said Mr Obama telephoned his wife at the restaurant, and she sang him Happy Birthday down the phone.
The party enjoyed red wine with the main course and a local sweet white wine with dessert before retiring to the hotel at 10pm.
