Update: French presidend ends relationship with first lady

François Hollande telephoned the Agence France Presse on Saturday evening to announce the end of his nine-year relationship with Valérie Trierweiler, he stressed that he was calling as Hollande the private citizen, not as president of France.

“I make it known that I have put an end to the life I shared with Valérie Trierweiler,” Hollande dictated to the news agency.

 He said it concerned his “private life”, but the 18-word repudiation sounded more monarchical than any previous Hollande statement. The ex-first lady has reminded visitors that she believed in Hollande when he was “Monsieur 3 per cent”, stuck in the nether regions of opinion polls, and that he wouldn’t have become president without her. It’s goodbye to the chauffeur-driven cars, servants and bodyguards. An exception was made yesterday when an Élysée car drove Trierweiler from the rental in the 15th arrondissement to which she’s been banished to Roissy airport, en route for Mumbai. LOL no more fame and luxury.