France’s First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has spoken out about meeting Queen Elizabeth.
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Carla, who is married to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, revealed the monarch made her feel at home when she visited Windsor Castle in March and even personally showed her to her suite of rooms.
She said told Paris Match magazine: “It was terribly scary but also an incredible adventure. It was like arriving on another planet. Never in my life did I think I would meet the Queen of England. She took me to my room and said, ‘Here’s your bathroom.’ ”
Former supermodel Carla has also confessed she took a “crash course” in royal protocol and practised greeting the royal family before the visit.
She added: “I asked for advice from the protocol section of the Elysee and from the British Ambassador’s wife. I tried to imagine how I would do a curtsy.”
Carla says the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip was very helpful during the visit and spoke French to put her at ease.
The 40-year-old beauty explained: “He had impeccable French and explained everything that was going on and what was the right thing to do. He was a fantastic guide.”
Carla admits she was also terrified at choosing outfits for the trip, saying: “Can you imagine trying not to disappoint French women – the most elegant in the world! It was not easy.”
