The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, was given more than $300,000 in jewels last year from the kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The disclosure of the wealth that rained down on Condoleezza Rice when she went on Middle Eastern tours was made in a list of official gifts to president Bush administration figures from foreign leaders.

She received an emerald and diamond necklace, ring, earrings and bracelet with 19-carat white gold from King Abdullah of Jordan, thought to be worth about $147,000 last January.

Only six months later King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia extended his generosity with a diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring worth $165,000.

Under federal law officials are rarely allowed to keep personal presents; most end up in the national archives or are donated to charity. So very unfortunate for Rice as she won’t be able to keep any of the gems and jewellery.