Carla Bruni, the former model, current pop star, and new wife of French President Nicholas Sarkozy, joined her husband this Thursday for France's first state visit to England in more than a decade. Sarkozy's theme was building a new brotherhood between the nations but, on the eve of the pair's arrival, the venerable British auction house Christie's dampened la fraternité with the announcement that it was selling a nude photo of Bruni. The piece is part of a larger collection going on the block, including nudes of Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen and a fully clothed Igor Stravinsky.

(Carla Bruni)

The auction has provoked outrage from Sarkozy, who is trying to shed his image as a "Bling Bling" president who cares more about strolling with his beautiful wife than finding answers to Frances economic malaise. Christie's is sticking to its guns, claiming the photo is a tasteful piece of art featuring one of the world's most beautiful women. Rather than back down, Bruni went on a press offensive, appearing with the royal family in a stunning outfit, more Jackie O than Oh My. And while the auction may have slowed Bruni's transformation into the Gallic Princess Di, it certainly won't hurt sales of her new album.

(Gisele Bündchen)

The auction is scheduled for April 10th at New York's Rockefeller Plaza. The photo, a gelatin silver print shot in 1993 by world-renowned photographer Michel Comte, is expected to fetch $3-4000.

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(Kate Moss)