Elegant sheikh's wife proves Carla's fashion equal while Rania drops in on Downing St

Ultra-glamorous guests from the Arab world made a splash in Europe this week, when Carla Bruni-Sarkozy welcomed the Sheikh of Qatar and his wife and Sarah Brown was on hand to meet Queen Rania of Jordan and her husband King Abdullah.In Paris, Carla and her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, held a state banquet at the Elysee Palace for their visitors, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.Elegant in a sweeping floor-length midnight blue gown, Carla greeted the emir of Qatar's wife with a handshake. The women spent the evening discussing their shared views on a number of social, cultural and educational topics.Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, beautiful in a hooded long-sleeved deep pink gown, has been a high-profile figure in her nation's politics and society and actively involved in Qatar's government. And in addition she balances her busy schedule with being a mum-of-seven.Meanwhile in London, mum of four Queen Rania and her husband were being welcomed to Downing Street by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah..The Jordanian royal looked much younger than her 38 years in a dove-grey dress cinched at the waist with a snakeskin belt, teamed with a snake clutch and peep-toe stilettos.Mrs Brown, who has garnered praise from fashion pundits with her sartorial choices of late, opted for a flattering tailored jacket, monochrome striped skirt, and a pair of leg-lengthening nude stilletos.Just last week Queen Rania showed off her timeless elegance by wearing the same outfit she wore for the coronation of her husband ten years ago to attend the anniversary celebrations of his reign.