French President Nicolas Sarkozy and girlfriend Carla Bruni are suing Ryanair over an advertisement featuring her daydreaming about a wedding, their lawyer said last night.
Thierry Herzog said Mr Sarkozy wanted a symbolic one euro ($1.48) in damages, while Ms Bruni, a former supermodel, was seeking €500,000.
"A photo of Carla Bruni costs €500,000," Mr Herzog was quoted as telling Le Monde,explaining that her fame as a model meant she could command large sums for advertising.
A Paris court is due to hear the case today.
The advert, which ran in Le Parisiennewspaper on Monday, features a photo of the smiling pair in an advertisement for cut-price tickets. "With Ryanair, all my family can come to my wedding," says a thought bubble coming from Ms Bruni's head.
Ryanair did not get permission to use their image, and the company has since apologised. "It was a humorous comment on a matter of great public interest in France. We apologise sincerely for any offence caused," said a Ryanair spokeswoman in Dublin.
Mr Sarkozy recently made the front pages of newspapers and celebrity magazines when he announced his relationship with the Italian-born Ms Bruni whom he met just a few weeks after separating from his second wife, Cecilia.
Mr Sarkozy hinted earlier this month that he would marry Ms Bruni and that the media would probably find out about it after the event.