The US First Lady Michelle Obama, who is said to have already shadowed the glamorous wife of French President, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, is "America's Lady Diana", a leading British newspaper has claimed.

"Not since Diana, Princess of Wales, has there been such a glamorous role model at the apex of society. The First Lady has excited the fashion world, but like Diana she would rather champion the less fortunate than be a clotheshorse.

"She is determined to carve out a role at the White House that is more than national clothes horse," 'The Sunday Times' said.

In fact, according to the newspaper, Diana, the mother of two young boys and ardent champion of less fortunate, could prove to be an inspiration for her. Michelle intends to become "first lady of the forgotten of the city of Washington, which is brutally partitioned according to race and class".

In fact, in a TV interview immediately after the election, Michelle had said: "Both Barack and I believe we can have an impact in the DC area in terms of making sure we are contributing to the community that we immediately live in."