There was only one subject that 150 elite British women wanted to talk about after Carla Bruni Sarkozy left yesterday’s charity lunch with Sarah Brown: their shock that the model had eaten her dessert.

While the beetroot and feta salad followed by sea bass passed without comment, there was considerable interest that the Italian-born singer also enjoyed – apparently guilt-free – the mousse and ice-cream.

Mrs Sarkozy fed a national curiosity by speaking publicly for the first time during the visit to an audience that included the singer Annie Lennox, the television presenter Davina McCall, Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, and Anji Hunter, Tony Blair’s former adviser.

The event, at Lancaster House in support of the White Ribbon Alliance charity, was hosted by Mrs Brown to draw attention to mothers who needlessly die in childbirth.

In an assured performance, Mrs Sarkozy said that those gathered were “the hope” of hundreds of thousands of mothers worldwide.

Speaking in English, Mrs Sarkozy said: “I know that my husband and the Prime Minister are today agreeing to work together to increase the numbers of health workers in Africa. One important step and one of the great tragedies of our time takes place in the shadows, particularly in developing countries, when the most intense and wonderful moment of their lives – labour – might result in tragedy.

“Every one of these tragedies plunges people into despair. You, in the face of all this, you are the hope.”

Members of the audience said that Mrs Sarkozy spoke with more of a French accent than an Italian one but was easily understood, if a little shy. She did not look up from her notes while making the short address.

She appeared fluent when meeting individuals after her speech, they said.

Recognising the curiosity around the room for Mrs Sarkozy and her recent wedding, Mrs Brown said: “I think we can expect great things of Nicolas, with you at his side.”

President Sarkozy mounted a spirited defence of his wife at yesterday’s press conference with Gordon Brown.

Asked if he felt overshadowed by her, he delivered an emotional tribute. “That you have even put the question seems to indicate that you have an unhappy experience of marriage or being in a couple,” he snapped.

“I have been proud and happy with my wife, Carla, over the last few days. So much has been said, so much has been written I am proud that people have been able to see her for who she really is – there’s a sense of justice.”

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