Carla Bruni skips Cannes fuelling pregnancy gossip

The Cannes Film Festival opens tonight with a screening of Woody Allen's latest romantic comedy, Midnight in Paris, starring the American comic actor Owen Wilson and one of France's hottest actresses of the moment, Marion Cotillard. Missing from the red carpet, however, will be France's First Lady, Carla Bruni, who has a small part in the film.

Bruni has pulled out of her planned appearance in Cannes "for personal reasons", fuelling speculation that she is pregnant.

The rumours first surfaced last month when the magazine Closer claimed 43-year-old Bruni was in the first weeks of pregnancy. Since then, Voici magazine has claimed she "won't be able to keep her bump hidden for much longer".

Bruni, who has a nine-year-old son by her previous partner, revealed soon after she married President Sarkozy in February 2008 that they would try for a baby, so it will come as no surprise in France if and when the Elysee Palace confirms it.

Her absence means she will miss the chance to see her director Woody Allen, who has steadfastly stood by her through various unkind rumours that it took many 'takes' to film one small scene with Owen Wilson (above) in Midnight in Paris. There was even gossip that her role had been entirely cut from the film - again poo-poo-ed by Allen.

Tonight, on the Croisette, the truth will out. ·