Brits Ready the Red Carpet for Sarko Visit

Carla Bruni isn’t the only tempestuous romance in Nicolas Sarkozy's life—the “turbulent love affair” of Anglo-French relations comes to the fore Wednesday as the flamboyant French prez prepares to meet with Queen Elizabeth. But Sarkozy is a vocal fan of Britain’s hardy economy, and with increasing economic interdependence between the oft-warring neighbors, smoother relations are expected.

At least 300,000 French people live in Britain and half a million Britons have homes in France. Sarkozy, known as “President Bling-Bling,” will also meet with PM Gordon Brown, a preacher’s son known for his austerity. But the French aren’t the only one given to excess: British tabloids will likely gobble up every detail of the newlywed Sarkozys' stay. (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.)