Their high-profile marriages, photogenic looks and enviable careers place them among the most talked-about women in the world, so a small amount of rivalry between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy would have been forgiven when they met up at a gala dinner in New York.

The Hollywood star and France’s First Lady seemed to be getting along famously, however, when they met up at a soiree honouring the former model’s husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, with a humanitarian award.

And while Carla had eyes turning as she made her way through the throng, looking a picture of sophistication as always in an electric blue gown with faux jewel detailing, Catherine more than held her own in another midnight-hued affair revealing a daring decollete.

While in New York the French first couple have kept up their exercise routines and were spotted jogging energetically along the streets of the Big Apple earlier in the day