French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, a former fashion model, are in London making the political rounds that come with being the head of state. The trip is causing a bit of controversy because auction house Christie’s is selling nude photographs of Carla Bruni from her days as a high-end fashion model.

Sarkozy and his wife, the former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, were greeted by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall after the presidential plane landed at London’s Heathrow airport Wednesday morning.

But his wife Bruni-Sarkozy is likely to attract as much, if not more, attention than her husband during the two-day visit, during which she is expected to meet the UK royals and attend a lunch held in her honor by Sarah Brown, wife of the UK prime minister.

Auction house Christie’s is to sell photographs of former model Bruni-Sarkozy, taken by Michel Comte in 1993, in New York next month, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. The agency quoted the French president’s office as saying the sale is a private matter.

The photos are likely to endure President Sarkozy to millions of Westerners but don’t expect the Brit’s to warm up to Nicolas or his wife. The Brit’s are always looking for a reason to have a rife with the French.

Long live Nicolas and his smoking hot first wife Carla!

More Photos of Carla Bruni Below