The most interesting aspect of the next two days may be the chance to observe how Sarkozy (indeed, the Sarkozys) and Gordon Brown handle the ceremonial.

Brown and Sarko are in their different ways poor when it comes to big state occasions - Brown just because it's really not his bag... Sarko because he evidently struggles to focus on one thing at a time. (Checking emails on his blackberry in an audience with the pope. Not good.)

If it's poise you're after, the two wives are more likely to provide it. Their husbands' aim is to get through with dignity intact.

Comments

[Bruce Hulmes 27 Mar 2008 17:33:56]

Merv,
New Labours slogan should be "we pay you stay any complaints fill in the compensation form and we will bung you £250,000 for your hurt feelings".
That would attract even more hard working foriegners to come and pay for my retirement.
Only one problem there I fund my own pension and our children have been told they will work until they drop, so all those immigrants, who never claim any benefits!!! never committe crime!!!don't take our jobs!! don;t overburden the NHS!! and schools must be contributing to the pensions of local council workers and of course politicians.

[Merv. Beszant, Dubai 26 Mar 2008 15:15:06]

Carol-Ann,
If only Gordon would adopt 'If they ain't paying they ain't staying' as a general policy, as this would solve so many of the countries problems related to immigration, benefit fraud, crime etc.!

[Khalid 26 Mar 2008 14:15:30]

Sir Joey
I praise Monsieur Sarkozy for keeping abreast of current events no matter where as it shows he is todays man on not from [The Past- Billy Ray Cyrus]

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 26 Mar 2008 14:08:11]

I don't think the Royal Family are a drain on the UK's resourses, they are an asset.
The modern royals all pay their taxes including the Queen. They work long hours promoting British trade worldwide, and are big supporters of "buying British".
All the major attractions in London surround the Royal Family and their history. I believe the Queen will leave the monarchy in good hands.

[Philip Alexander 26 Mar 2008 14:01:20]

For every pound spent on the royals they bring in through tourism about £20. Now i think that tells you they are worth it.
Do you think the queen bought the paper with Mrs Sarkosy's picture in this morning?

[carol-ann liverpool 26 Mar 2008 13:49:23]

I admire The Queen for her long service and duty but I believe that no other royal, in the future, will command the same respect as the queen does.
Unless we can justify the Royal Family in terms of tourism, it will disintegrate slowly following the death of the Queen.
For example, do we get more from tourists who come here especially to see the pomp and ceremony around the royal family, than it costs us to pay for their upkeep, then maybe it is worth saving.

I feel that young people no longer have the same patriotism for the Queen as we were brought up with and are much more likely to view them in a more pragmatic way, and:
"If they aint paying they aint staying"

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 26 Mar 2008 13:08:42]

Peter Fife
The "costly fluff" as you put it keeps Britain going.
Tourists cram into Britain to see it's history, pomp and ceremony. Without the Queen, Britain wouldn't have much to offer. Long may she reign!
PM's are two a penny.

[Peter, Fife 26 Mar 2008 11:26:14]

A clear indication of the media’s continuation with their obsession with celebrity and their hope that the public’s equally sad interest with celebrity will assist in the sale of their advertising platforms (newspapers); it is the French President and his wife, both of whom are mere mortals.

[Anne, Saudi Arabia 26 Mar 2008 10:59:08]

What is wrong with all of you? A presidaent marries a beautiful woman and everyone is jealous!!!!!!!!!! I am sure that Gordon and Sara, who is also lovely, will get along fine with Sarkozy and Carla.

[James, London 26 Mar 2008 10:58:28]

Surely you should be comparing President Sarkosy, as Head of State, with the Queen, rather than the comparably minor functionary Brown?

No doubt he'll be picking bogies somewhere on the back row...

[Peter, Fife 26 Mar 2008 09:46:31]

Like most occasions of this type all we will see is the costly fluff that surround these occasions; the real business will be carried out behind closed doors; if it were not international developments would be jeopardised by 'journalist' claiming to be acting in the public interest.

[Merv. Beszant, Dubai 26 Mar 2008 08:49:37]

Joey,
Maybe Sarkozy gets bored easily, and would suggest that if Gordon had a similar audience, it would be the Pope who would be checking his blackberry!

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 26 Mar 2008 08:47:20]

Two diverse characters...chalk and cheese.
Brown very solid, stay at home, with his quiet wife Sarah.
Sarkosy jet setter, on his third wife an ex-model.
Seems they don't have much in common. The Queen will probably have her hands full keeping the conversation going, but in which language. I wonder how good Mr Brown's French is?