Sarkozy Romance A Protocol Nightmare
French president Nicolas Sarkozy's very public love life has been fueling marriage rumors at home and creating protocol nightmares abroad.
Consider the king of Saudi Arabia, custodian of the two holy mosques, who this week is hosting Sarkozy. Did he very politely ask the French president to leave his girlfriend at home - at least until she's wearing a wedding ring?
In any case, Sarkozy arrived in Saudi Arabia alone after taking some highly publicized private trips with model Carla Bruni to Egypt and Jordan earlier this month.
Just how soon Bruni, a model turned singer, might be wearing a wedding ring is still an open question and the source of endless speculation in France and throughout Europe. In fact, reports that the two already had been married swept through France earlier this week. Everyone close to the couple denies this is so.
But Sarkozy has only himself to blame for all the speculation. In confirming that his relationship with Bruni is serious, he hinted that any wedding would take place in private.
Photos: Romp in Egypt
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"It's serious," he confirmed. "There's a strong chance you will find out when it's already done."
The French press are having a field day, pointing out the striking similarities between Bruni and former first lady Cecilia Sarkozy, even down to the identical diamond rings the two women appear to be wearing. The Sarkozys ended their 11-year marriage in October after a very public separation amid rumors of infidelities on both sides.
Headlines in France ask if the President of the Republic is on the rebound.
His ex evidently thinks so. A book Cecilia Sarkozy tried to ban quotes her as saying her former husband was a stingy, flaky womanizer who was emotionally unfit to be president.
Meanwhile, some in France are tiring of all the hoopla and possibly dismayed that the next first lady might be the former girlfriend of Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger. Polls show the president's approval ratings are slipping as the romance rumors grow stronger.