InsideJapan News Network

Carla Bruni, the wife of the French president Nicolas Sarkozy, has apologised for not being able to attend the G8 summit which was held this month in Japan.

Ms Bruni sent the letter of apology to the Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda's wife, Kiyoko, reports Japan Today.

She cited the ongoing preparations for her upcoming third album as the reason for her non-attendance.

Having previously worked as a model, Ms Bruni now has an career as a singer.

She caused a sensation while accompanying her husband on a state visit to the Britain when naked pictures of her during her modelling days were published in the tabloid press.

Her new album, entitled Comme si de rien n'etait, went on sale last week and sold over 14,000 copies in two days.

French public radio reported that the album was ranked third in the weekly charts.