Sarkozy, wife heading for formal split

In fact, rumours have been flying since last week when the First Lady of France failed to accompany her husband on a trip to Bulgaria to receive the country8217;s highest award.

Cecilia, who had personally negotiated the release of six Bulgarian medics from Libya in July, however, said she had not come because she was 8220;hurt8221; by the controversy.

Dubbed 8220;the invisible woman8221; by the French media, Cecilia has been conspicuously absent from her husband8217;s side since his election in May and only accompanied him in an official capacity thrice.

Moreover, Cecilia has not moved into the Elyse palace, the official presidential residence. Instead, she spends most of her time in their flat in the Paris suburb of Neuilly and at La Lanterne, a retreat near Versailles.