Italian fashion model Carla Bruni, 39, said in an interview that she and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France are not married, quashing rumors that there had been a secret wedding ceremony in the Élysée Palace.

The newspaper Libération quoted Carla Bruni as saying that she was “not yet married.”

But she strongly suggested it would happen, adding, “even if this is in our plans.” They are believed to have set a wedding date for either February 8 or 9.

During a Christmas trip to Egypt, the recently-divorced president reportedly gave Bruni an engagement ring - a pink diamond heart - while Bruni gave him a luxury Swiss watch in grey steel.

Carla also said she would not accompany President Sarkozy on his official visit later this week to India. French President, as a guest of honor at the Indian National Day celebrations, will attend a military parade in Raj Path in New Delhi, capital of India.

“I cannot take part in an official visit with the president,” Carla Bruni said, without mentioning the protocol issues the relationship could have posed.

Carla, who is a singer, said that she was planning to begin recording her next album next month. [PHOTO: AFP] 

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