The perfect gent? Or is French President Nicolas Sarkozy trying to hide his height once again

By CHRIS SLACK

At arm's length: President Sarkozy greets Princess Victoria - and makes sure she can't stand alongside him on the top step


Bending down to politely kiss his royal visitor's hand, Nicolas Sarkozy was trying to be the perfect gentleman.

But the French President's gesture was more than just a greeting, it made sure he kept Princess Victoria of Sweden at arm's length as the pair met in Paris today.

By doing so the President, who is famously sensitive about his height, assured his visitor did not share the top step of the entrance to the Elysee Palace in the French capital.

Had she done so she would have towered over the President in her heels, while also already being two inches taller than him.

Keen not to allow the Princess's husband to show up his small frame either, the 5ft 5in President then repeated the trick when shaking hands with Prince Daniel.

The pair then entered the building for a meeting with both Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni.

Repeating the trick: Mr Sarkozy's outstretched hand greets Prince Daniel as he climbs the steps


Princess Victoria and her husband met the Sarkozy's as part of a four day visit to the country. It is their first official visit abroad.

As well as meeting the President, the couple aim to trace the footsteps of a French ancestor who became king of Sweden two centuries ago.

Yesterday, they visited the former chateau of marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte at Domaine de la Grange at Savigny-le-Temple south of Paris. Bernadotte became became King Charles XIV John of Sweden in 1818.

Bernadotte served as an army officer under Napoleon until 1810 when he was elected as heir to the Swedish throne because the royal family was dying out.

Like Victoria, he was a highly popular and went on to ally himself with Napoleon's enemies.



Height of style: Carla Bruni and Princess Victoria pose outside the Elysee Palace in Paris


During their stay the couple are also to visit the south western city of Pau, where Bernadotte was born in 1763.

Princess Victoria is first in line to inherit the Swedish throne after her father King Carl XVI Gustaf, who is also considered the head of state.

She married her gymnastics instructor husband Daniel at a lavish Stockholm ceremony in June.


source: dailymail