France’s first couple Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni bring French charm and chic to London
March 28, 2008
President of France and Carla Bruni win over the British Queen, Parliament and people on UK visit, as Bruni’s dresses eclipse even Sarkozy’s speeches.
Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, and his wife the former model and singer Carla Bruni, raised the stature of France in the eyes of the English on their first trip to the UK together. While Sarkozy made an impassioned speech to the British Parliament, recalling its seminal role in inspiring the democratic governments of the world, it was Carla Bruni who inspired the famous British tabloid press to a delirious frenzy of coverage. Newspapers in Britain rhapsodized over Bruni’s clothes, beauty, charm and poise, some comparing her to Jackie Kennedy, and others procaliming the First Lady of France “The New Diana.”
Some photos of Carla Bruni that appeared in British tabloids before her arrival in the UK were less flattering. Nude photos she made in the 90’s, photos that have already made the rounds of the press in France and the UK, were re-run in anticipation of the interest her visit would arouse. Some snickered that the prim and proper suit Carla Bruni wore at her first public appearance in London was meant to offset her overexposure in the nude photos. But in a country where poise, protocol and grace under pressure matter, France’s First Lady Bruni won even the meanest pundits over with her discreet good humor. Hitting all the right notes with the Queen, the Prime minister and their spouses, Carla Bruni most certainly was a bright feather in Sarkozy’s cap on this State visit. Their London stay included official visits to Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle, where the First Couple of France spent the night.
In his speech to Parliament, and repeatedly in his talks with Prime minister Gordon Brown and Queen Elizabeth, Sarkozy stressed over and over the special relationship between France and the UK. Ignoring the centuries of enmity between the two neighboring countries, Sarkozy and Brown pledged mutual cooperation on human rights, nuclear energy, immigration and fighting terrorism in Britain and France. Sarkozy also said France would be sending more French troops to Afghanistan, though he didn’t specify a number. Nicolas Sarkozy’s declaration that France and Britain could not accept any return to power of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Kabul received thunderous applause in Parliament.
Outside the walls, however, most Londoners were more interested in what First Lady of France Carla Bruni would be wearing, (It was Dior and Chanel this visit.)
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