Britain swoons for French first lady

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LONDON, Mar 28 (AP): Nicolas Sarkozy did most of the talking, but it was his wife who made the headlines.
On his first state visit to Britain, the French president discussed matters of international importance, sealed a string of big bilateral deals and hailed a new era of Franco-British brotherhood.
So what did Britain's media focus Thursday? Pictures of model-turned-first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, alongside discussion of her chic Dior outfits, her effortless elegance - and her sensible low-heeled shoes.
Even Britain's notoriously Francophobe tabloid press was entranced. "Carla, first lady of chic," proclaimed The Daily Mail. "Ooh la la, Madame Sarko," said The Daily Express.
Just don't suggest to Sarkozy that his wife outshone him.
A French journalist who asked Sarkozy Thursday if he felt upstaged was immediately rebuked. The president suggested tartly that the reporter had a "curious idea of a couple."
Bruni-Sarkozy, an Italian-born pop singer and former model who married the French president in February, caused a mighty splash in Britain, a country where politicians and their spouses are more stolid than stylish.