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Sarkozy 'moved' by welcome
28/03/2008 11:03 - (SA)
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| Frances's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrives for a state banquet at the Guildhall in London. (AP) |
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London - French President Nicolas
Sarkozy, whose turbulent love life has been the target of much
press scorn, said on Thursday he was very moved by the reception
his new wife Carla was given in Britain.
Sarkozy saw his popularity plummet in France during his
whirlwind public romance with the former model.
Voters punished him in local elections, complaining he was
too wrapped up in his love life and not concentrating enough on
France's economic woes.
But the British and French press were united in praise of
Carla's elegant debut at Windsor Castle where Queen Elizabeth
hosted the couple at a sumptuous state banquet.
Britain's Daily Telegraph asked "Is Carla the new (Princess)
Diana?" French newspapers enthused over the sensation she
caused.
Sarkozy said: "I was very moved by the reception Carla
received."
"I think it was well deserved. There have been so many
things. I am very happy to see that justice was done to her," he
told reporters in a joint news conference with Britain's prime
minister, Gordon Brown.
Sarkozy, 53, separated from his second wife Cecilia last
October following an 11-year marriage and just five months after
winning power.
Public relations coup
By February he was married to the 40-year-old
model-turned singer Carla Bruni.
Sarkozy, who had been nicknamed "President Bling-Bling" for
his flash lifestyle bedecked in Ray-Ban sunglasses and Rolex
watch, was clearly overjoyed by the public relations coup.
"Everyone has seen that she is a woman with convictions,
sensitivity and humanity and it's her convictions, this
sensitivity, this humanity which make up Carla's elegance," he
said.
Brown and Sarkozy sought to outdo each other in gushing
praise - a far cry from testy Anglo-French relations in the
past.
Sarkozy called Brown "one of the best finance ministers
Europe has known" for his role before becoming prime minister.
Brown, hailing what he hopes will be a sea change in
relations between two countries, welcomed what he called the
"entente formidable".
- Reuters
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