It took her years to earn this access, said El Alaoui Talibi, one of only four Muslim holy women allowed to work in French prisons. “Everyone has the same prejudices and negative image of Muslims and Islam,” said Moroccan-born El Alaoui Talibi, 47, the mother of seven children. “When some guards see you, they see an Arab; they see you the same as if you were a prisoner.”

But the vessel’s billionaire owner, the Aga Khan, has reportedly been left hugely disappointed by claims that his eagerly awaited new possession cannot reach half the expected speed - and is now considering launching a major legal battle against the British dockyard that built it.

But if the racy new First Lady of France had fears of any British froideur as she arrived yesterday, they were quickly dispelled.

Within moments of setting foot on British soil, Carla Bruni had the future King kissing her hand.

President Sarkozy, meanwhile, was soon chatting to the Queen about one of his favourite subjects - chocolate. By last night, the Windsors and the Sarkozys were getting on just famously.

Whether any of this translates into a new era of Anglo-French collaboration remains to be seen. But what is beyond doubt is that this is the most glamorous and downright quirky state visit in ages.

After all, when was the last time a president arrived with both a supermodel and a mother-in-law in tow?

In his first foreign policy speech since his centre-left Labor Party won power last November, Rudd said Australia’s economic and security interests relied upon the country being more engaged with allies, regional forums and the United Nations.

“The truth is Australia’s voice has been too quiet for too long,” Rudd said in a speech to an East Asia forum.

“That is why during the course of the next three years, the world will see an increasingly activist Australian international policy in areas where we believe we may be able to make a positive difference.”