LONDON, Dec 4, 2008 (AFP) - Sarah Brown, the wife of the British prime minister, seemed to have taken some style tips from Carla Bruni-Sarkozy when she stepped out in a purple beret and grey suit.

Carla Bruni, Novembre 2008 in New York. Photo : AFP

Brown was eclipsed in the fashion stakes by Bruni-Sarkozy, wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, when the couple visited Britain in March, later admitting she "didn't stand a chance" against the former model.

But the suit Brown wore to hear the Queen's Speech Wednesday seemed to mimic a Christian Dior outfit which Bruni-Sarkozy sported then, prompting the Independent newspaper to put her on its front page under the headline: "Carla? Moi?"

The Daily Mail also noted her attire with approval, revealing that her beret came from budget high street clothes shop New Look and cost just seven pounds (eight euros, ten dollars). Its purple colour matched her husband's tie.

The Queen's Speech, which contains the government's draft legislative programme for the next year, stressed the importance of helping British families and businesses through the credit crunch.