There was definitely some fraternite, a little liberte but not much egalite as "Sarko", France's embattled president, arrived in London for his 36-hour state visit to declare a new "Franco-British brotherhood".

With Carla, his supermodel wife beside him, Nicolas Sarkozy is hoping his neighbourly hop across the Channel will help to "re-presidentialise" his image, which has taken a battering back home because of his irreverent celebrity style.

Bling has been strictly forbidden - out go the Rolex and Raybans - so too has mention of the coincidence that was the publication yesterday of a 1993 photograph showing France's First Lady posing nude.

The day began with M le President giving an interview with the BBC when he declared earnestly that France wanted a new relationship with the UK, not so much an entente cordiale but an "entente amicale". He made clear he believed the two nations could work "hand in glove" on a range of issues. The famous froideur between Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair appeared to have been consigned to the history books.

As the presidential party arrived at Heathrow, Prince Charles appeared to be smitten with Mme Sarkozy, kissing her hand as she glided on to the tarmac in a demure grey woollen Dior outfit worthy of Jackie Onassis. She smiled. Feet away, the Duchess of Cornwall, in brown leopard print, looked on despairingly.

The chic ex-supermodel turned president's wife had eschewed heels in favour of flat shoes so her willowy 5ft 9in frame did not tower over her spouse's more Napoleonic stature said to be, at best, 5ft 5in.

At Windsor, all eyes were on France's First Lady as she met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. She managed to pull off her curtsey - apparently well-practised in the Elysee.

As with any state visit, the intent of the host is to dazzle the guest. So as the French president sat nervously in a gilded carriage with the Queen, he looked suitably gobsmacked.

His wife, however, appeared to be more at ease, chatting away in her own gilded carriage with Prince Philip. The entourage made its way to the head of state's humble castellated home, where, bestowing a bit of British bling, Her Majesty made her guest an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, which is probably untranslatable.

After lunch it was off to Westminster Abbey to pay France's respects to Britain's war dead. Then, across the road in the House of Lords, M Sarkozy was given the honour of addressing both MPs and peers.

As he arrived in the grand Gothic surroundings of the upper chamber's Royal Gallery, he was greeted by a grinning Gordon Brown. While the Gallic guest showered his host with kisses, the Prime Minister, unusually ebullient, grabbed his chum affectionately by the arms and shook them vigorously.

At the podium Michael Martin, the Commons Speaker, welcomed Westminster's new friend from across the Channel, taking the opportunity to remind him of Scotland's long-standing friendship with France in the "auld alliance". At one point, M Sarkozy could be spotted winking and sharing a private joke with Mr Brown.

In his speech, M Sarkozy vowed how his country would "never forget" the sacrifice of the Second World War, lauded British democracy, the armed forces, the "dynamism" of the UK's cities and the UK's entire way of life. He also hinted France might be about to step up its commitment in Afghanistan - the suggestion is he will announce a further 1000 troops.

Last night, the bejewelled Queen showed her guest what bling really was at a state banquet in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, attended by the great and the good of the two nations, who indulged in Filet de Barbue Beatrice, Pommes Maxim and Savarin a la Rhubarbe washed down with Chassagne-Montrachet.

Success, like last night's football, for the president will be surviving his cross-Channel charm offensive without a single faux pas. France is watching.