'Bling President' seeks decorum in UK

Thursday 27 March 2008

Under fire at home for his “bling” style, President Sarkozy has a great opportunity to show presidential gravitas on his state visit to the UK.

Under fire at home for his “bling” style, President Sarkozy has a great opportunity to show presidential gravitas on his state visit to the UK. Following royal protocol to a ‘t’ would certainly provide a stark contrast to his slanging matches with members of the public in France. The president appears to have prepared for the trip meticulously, taking English lessons to sharpen up what the Daily Telegraph has called his “barely comprehensible Clouseau twang.”
 

He’s been carefully briefed on the minutiae of expected behaviour at Windsor Castle. Here are a couple of requirements that could prove testing for a sometimes impatient head of state.
 
He cannot get up from the table until the Queen does – so there will be no “escape” to check text messages. Sarkozy famously fiddled with his mobile phone during an audience with the Pope.
 
He must follow a strictly-no-touching rule. Sarkozy’s touchy-feely inclinations have created misunderstandings, for instance with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. To be fair, Sarkozy is not the only French president to have ruffled feathers in this way.  Georges Pompidou and Jacques Chirac both touched Queen Elizabeth’s arm. The royal family was not amused !
 

Sarkozy will have to avoid his normally familiar way of talking, and to make sure he addresses the Queen as “Your Majesty” and Ma’am.” Relaxing with a cigar is also out of the question. Her father was a heavy smoker and she doesn’t like it. You could see the state banquet as an exam; passing it would do Sarkozy’s image no harm.