Nicolas Sarkozy to shed 'King of Bling' image

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France will use his first state visit to Britain next week to shed his brash "King of Bling" image.

The president's aides are determined he will not embarrass his host, the Queen, in the same way he risked offending the Pope during a recent audience in which he checked his BlackBerry for messages.

Mr Sarkozy hopes his visit to Britain on March 26-27, during which he will be guest of honour at a state banquet at Windsor Castle, will mark a turning point in his attempt to "re-presidentialise" himself in the eyes of the French and become a leader of "elegance and discretion", according to one aide.

The president's popularity ratings have plummeted since January amid complaints he is too impetuous, too keen on the trappings of wealth and too showy in his private life.