The day Carla met her match: Mrs Sarkozy is upstaged by Spain's real princess in glamour showdown
By
David Gardner
Last updated at 11:14 AM on 28th April 2009
There were smiles and kisses when Carla Bruni met Princess Letizia of Spain yesterday.
But, make no mistake, there was also more than a hint of rivalry as Europe's First Ladies came face to face in Madrid.
Dressed to impress: France's First Lady Carla Bruni (left) with Princess Letizia of Spain at a gala dinner at the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid
Enchanted evening: Miss Bruni went for a simple black dress while the princess donned an eggshell blue satin gown with glittering train
Miss Bruni's husband Nicolas Sarkozy is on a mission to soothe ruffled feathers after reportedly describing Spanish premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as 'not very smart'.
But all eyes were on his gorgeous wife - that is, until Princess Letizia appeared.
Suddenly, it was Paris versus Madrid, each woman a stylish embodiment of national pride.
Last night the leading ladies attended a gala dinner hosted by the Spanish royal family at the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid.
Formal welcome: Miss Bruni is greeted with a kiss by Princess Letizia in Madrid earlier yesterday
First ladies of fashion: Princess Letizia in a bandage dress and towering heels leads Mrs Sarkozy in less dramatic stilettos up the palace steps
Both were clad in resplendent ball gowns. Miss Bruni wore her hair in a sleek chignon and opted for a simple high-necked black ensemble with an open back.
Meanwhile Princess Letizia donned a tiara over her tumbling curls and dressed in a satin eggshell blue gown, complete with a glittering train.
Earlier in the day at lunch it appeared that the first round had
gone to Spain, with the 36-year-old princess looking stunning in a
figure-hugging cerise dress and matching towering heels.
Official line-up (from left to right) Princess Letizia, King Juan Carlos, Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Queen Sofia and Crown Prince Felipe
Miss Bruni, 41, might have been regretting her choice of a
conservative Christian Dior blue dress - even if it did have price
tag of around £1,500 - and signature low-heel shoes from Christian
Louboutin costing around £320.
But France's national
treasure was apparently planning a knockout blow at last night's gala
dinner thrown by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia in the Palacio Real.
Fluffy locks: French President Nicolas Sarkozy and wife Miss Bruni arrive in Spain for a two-day state visit with the French First Lady sporting a smart new haircut
Elegant: Mrs Sarkozy wore an office-like dress, black heels and a white top
Princess Letizia, a former TV journalist and mother of two, is the wife of Crown Prince Felipe.
She reported from some of the world's most dangerous hotspots, including Iraq, before meeting the prince.
She was named Vanity Fair magazine's fifth best-dressed woman of 2008 while Miss Bruni was fourth. On yesterday's showing there's a chance they may be trading places.
Inspiration: The French First Lady may have borrowed from Jackie Kennedy
Meet and greet: Mr Sarkozy couldn't take his eyes away from his beautiful wife as he met Spanish King Juan Carlos (centre right) and Spanish Queen Sofia
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Comments (26)
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she is a very classy lady
It's no big deal - she's just had her curlers in!
Letizia and Carla both look elegant and sophisticated. Simple forms and artful tailoring make any woman look charming and feminine.
doesn't do anything for her at all
I think Princess Letizia's haircut is much more beautiful than Carla's. And Princess Letizia is much more beautiful and sophisticated than Carla. This haircut makes Carla look much older than she is, not a good thing.
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Princess Letizia is so beautiful. So is Carla Bruni... both are statuesque and gorgeous! No competition at all from what I see... both are stunning.
- Vida, Edmonton, AB Canada, 27/4/2009 17:20