French first lady finally embraces new role

CHAMBLY, France (AFP) - The glamorous girlfriend of France's president said on Thursday she is ready to embrace the role of first lady, drawing a line under months of controversy that have focused attention on the bed-hopping antics of the country's political elite.

"I stumbled a bit at the beginning," Ms Valerie Trierweiler admitted in her first public speech in her new role as an ambassador for the humanitarian foundation established by Ms Danielle Mitterrand, the first wife of a French president to have a public role.

"My career (as a journalist) has not completely been put to one side, but it is no longer the priority," Ms Trierweiler added at the inauguration of a fountain financed by the foundation.

Looking typically elegant in a camel coat, black trousers and her trademark stilettos, she added: "You do not become first lady overnight, but I now feel great joy doing these sort of things and I will continue to do them.