Chic Carla wows Westminster and Windsor

While French President Nicolas Sarkozy wooed Britain in his joint address to both Houses of Parliament yesterday, it was his new wife Carla Bruni who wowed MPs and journalists alike. Looking at home in the 'bling bling' setting of the scarlet and gilt Royal Gallery, Sarkozy talked of "brotherhood" between France and Britain and even gave thanks for the Normandy liberation. He received a standing ovation - but it was Carla, looking very much the poised First Lady, who entranced the policy wonks of Parliament. "Crusty old codgers who spend their lives steeped in policy documents smiled for the first time in years," noted Simon Hoggart in the Guardian.

Arriving at Heathrow on the day that newspapers carried a nude photo of her, Bruni stepped on to the tarmac looking diplomatic and demure in a high-waisted grey coat and matching beret by Dior. The fashionably belted waist was a nod to her catwalk days, while her flat pumps helped minimise the four-inch height difference between her and her husband.

It was the first of several outfit changes she made, all by Dior and all chosen in consultation with the fashion house's English designer John Galliano. For lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, she changed into a grey ribbed suit and then into a blue-grey wool jersey dress and navy coat for the visit to Parliament. For the state banquet at Windsor Castle's St George's Hall, she wore a midnight blue silk chiffon evening gown with a matching stole. (Continued below)

'Madame Nicolas Sarkozy' was seated between the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles, while her husband sat between the Queen and Camilla. Guests included Chocolat author Joanne Harris and the French rugby star Raphael Ibanez. On the day that Sarkozy hailed a new "entente cordiale" for France and England, however, no one was able to fix a draw between the nations' football teams. In a 'friendly' match in Paris, France won 1-0.