Presidential aides hope France's First Lady will become their very own Queen of Hearts, says Andrew Pierce
Not since Jackie Kennedy wowed British society on her first visit to London in 1962 has the arrival of a First Lady triggered so much hype. And when Carla Bruni appeared at the top of the steps of the presidential plane at Heathrow airport yesterday she certainly looked the part.
French expats react to Sarkozy's visit
Carla Bruni exudes a glamorous sophistication which her "bling bling" husband entirely lacks
Bruni, 40, who exudes a glamorous sophistication which her "bling, bling" husband entirely lacks, wore an elegant Christian Dior grey coat cinched at the waist by a thin, black belt and a French style beret. It was the beautiful wife at the court of Camelot all over again.
La Bruni, the first non-French first lady of France, knew all eyes would be on her, not the president. The British monarchy's largest foreign fan base is in France and the United States, the world's first two modern republics, so saturation media coverage back home at least was guaranteed.
As a model, turned pop star, and poet, Bruni is used to an audience and she looked completely at ease - seemingly unconcerned by publication of a nude photo of her from 15-years-ago in yesterday's newspapers. The Queen and Duke avidly read the papers over breakfast each morning.
Indeed, she radiated serene calm and delivered her curtsey to the
Queen, - she had rehearsed endlessly in front of a mirror in the Elysee Palace - with perfect poise.
advertisement
There was just one brief moment when her choreography faltered - but she was saved by the discreet but firm hand of Her Majesty, who reached out stop her advancing with the president to inspect the troops gathered to meet them.
Last night, she was all poise and elegance once more as she took her place between the the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales at the state banquet at Windsor Castle. This Italian daughter of an industrial magnate and his concert pianist wife is far more accustomed than her husband to moving among the great and good of Europe and British aristocracy. While she chatted away in fluent English, her husband could manage only a few words in broken English to the Queen.
Today will present another challenge when she speaks at a charity lunch hosted by Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah. It will be Bruni's first televised speech as first lady and broadcast live in Britain and France, heavily scripted but no doubt faultlessly delivered.
So will the Jackie Kennedy comparisons herald the start of a "Camelot a la francaise" - or should the comparisons be more contemporary?
During the president's speech to the Houses of Parliament it was noticeable that cameras spent much of the time trained firmly on his wife perched supportively and beautifully by his side, and commentators were wheeled out to talk about her haute couture.
Magazines with her face on the front cover are flying off shelves. Not since Lady Diana Spencer was launched on the international scene has there been such a media circus surrounding a woman in public life.
Mr Sarkozy's advisers will not be disappointed. While the Prince of Wales resented the popularity of his beautiful young wife, the president, trailing badly in opinion polls, will welcome the chance to bask in her reflected glory.
"We hope that she will win the hearts of the French people, just as Lady Diana won the hearts of the English," a presidental aide said. On yesterday's perform
ance she just might - and not only French hearts.
Not since Jackie Kennedy wowed British society on her first visit to London in 1962 has the arrival of a First Lady triggered so much hype. And when Carla Bruni appeared at the top of the steps of the presidential plane at Heathrow airport yesterday she certainly looked the part.
French expats react to Sarkozy's visit
Carla Bruni exudes a glamorous sophistication which her "bling bling" husband entirely lacks
Bruni, 40, who exudes a glamorous sophistication which her "bling, bling" husband entirely lacks, wore an elegant Christian Dior grey coat cinched at the waist by a thin, black belt and a French style beret. It was the beautiful wife at the court of Camelot all over again.
La Bruni, the first non-French first lady of France, knew all eyes would be on her, not the president. The British monarchy's largest foreign fan base is in France and the United States, the world's first two modern republics, so saturation media coverage back home at least was guaranteed.
As a model, turned pop star, and poet, Bruni is used to an audience and she looked completely at ease - seemingly unconcerned by publication of a nude photo of her from 15-years-ago in yesterday's newspapers. The Queen and Duke avidly read the papers over breakfast each morning.
Indeed, she radiated serene calm and delivered her curtsey to the
Queen, - she had rehearsed endlessly in front of a mirror in the Elysee Palace - with perfect poise.advertisement
There was just one brief moment when her choreography faltered - but she was saved by the discreet but firm hand of Her Majesty, who reached out stop her advancing with the president to inspect the troops gathered to meet them.
Last night, she was all poise and elegance once more as she took her place between the the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales at the state banquet at Windsor Castle. This Italian daughter of an industrial magnate and his concert pianist wife is far more accustomed than her husband to moving among the great and good of Europe and British aristocracy. While she chatted away in fluent English, her husband could manage only a few words in broken English to the Queen.
Today will present another challenge when she speaks at a charity lunch hosted by Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah. It will be Bruni's first televised speech as first lady and broadcast live in Britain and France, heavily scripted but no doubt faultlessly delivered.
So will the Jackie Kennedy comparisons herald the start of a "Camelot a la francaise" - or should the comparisons be more contemporary?
During the president's speech to the Houses of Parliament it was noticeable that cameras spent much of the time trained firmly on his wife perched supportively and beautifully by his side, and commentators were wheeled out to talk about her haute couture.
Magazines with her face on the front cover are flying off shelves. Not since Lady Diana Spencer was launched on the international scene has there been such a media circus surrounding a woman in public life.
Mr Sarkozy's advisers will not be disappointed. While the Prince of Wales resented the popularity of his beautiful young wife, the president, trailing badly in opinion polls, will welcome the chance to bask in her reflected glory.
"We hope that she will win the hearts of the French people, just as Lady Diana won the hearts of the English," a presidental aide said. On yesterday's perform
ance she just might - and not only French hearts. 
No comments:
Post a Comment