France’s First Lady was among the listeners to Mr Sarkozy’s speech at the start of the Guildhall dinner

Billed appropriately as “French glamour meets British pomp,” Pres Nicoals Sarkozy’s first state visit to Britain came off relatively well even with mixed reviews from the home front in France and from Britain. One thing that must be said is that PM Gordon Brown has come out of his reserve with a Quest for ‘Entente Formidable’ with France.

The Brits may still have some reservation when it comes to President Sarkozy as he wooed Britain’s MPs and peers, but they certainly have fallen in love with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, First Lady of France and are asking whether she might be the new Diana?

But most in British media were mesmerised by the Italian-born French First Lady: “Not since Jackie Kennedy has a First Lady’s visit generated so much hype.”

No amount of ferocious villifying by some British cartoonists could alter the fact that Britain had been simply wowed by Carla.

‘By common consent, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had a clear round,’ on her visit to Britain, writes The Independent.

TELEGRAPH TV – Carla steals limelight.

It’s wrong to compare Mrs Sarkozy to any other woman personality that has caught the world by storm. She is neither Lady Di nor Jackie Kennedy. She has her own personality and and I have no doubt that this polished intelligent woman who is not only very pretty but also highly cultured, speaking 5 languages fluently, one who is well-versed in literature and philosophy, will eventually be creating her own imprimatur for everyone to appreciate.

View photos here, here and here. Watch key video highlights of the second day here: President Sarkozy’s UK visit and Sarkozy and the Queen at a banquet.

Cross posted by The 3rd Column  in My Telegraph