As President Sarkozy and Carla Bruni, his new wife, visit the Queen in Windsor Castle today, they will come under fierce scrutiny back in France, where their rock'n'roll behaviour has infuriated voters.

The state visit is being portrayed as an ideal opportunity for Mr Sarkozy to acquire some of the gravitas that the French want from their heads of state.

Less than two weeks after Mr Sarkozy's supporters suffered a stinging setback in local elections, they hope that he will start to rebuild his image on the British side of the Channel.

"For a French Head of State seeking a loftier position and stature and criticised for a bling-bling presidency, this stay by the Thames could not come at a better time," said Le Figaro.

"There's nothing like an official photograph between Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to highlight the presidential change."

Mr Sarkozy is keenly aware of the importance of the occasion. "I'll be in Windsor tomorrow," he said on the eve of his departure. "That's class."

Commentators said that the President's Rolex watches and Ray-Ban glasses had been banished in favour of classic clothes, including white tie and tails for the state banquet this evening.

But amid massive coverage and endless fascination for Royal protocol, the French media has been wondering whether the headstrong president and his glamorous wife will be able to avoid a fresh gaffe.

Libération said that the teetotal Mr Sarkozy had been receiving lessons on dinner-table etiquette at Windsor Castle, where he will be confronted with six glasses.

The newspaper added that he had been schooling himself in the art of patience and diplomacy in an attempt to avoid one of the expletive-filled outbursts for which he has become known.

Ms Bruni, the former model whom he married in February, will also be observed intently by the French, who are anxious to see her assume the traditionally consensual First Lady role. There has been much speculation on whether she would curtsey to the Queen — and a broadly held view that she would.

The daughter of an Italian industrialist and a concert pianist, she is accustomed to moving in high society and may be more at ease than her nouveau riche husband, according to commentators.

Even the nude photographs of her circulating on the Internet are unlikely to disturb her poise, they said.

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