A woman born in Llanover and educated at Abergavenny's King Henry VIII school could become France’s First Lady after her husband seized pole position in the country’s presidential primary race.

Penelope Fillon, aged 60, is married to centre-right favourite Francois Fillon — a Thatcherite Frenchman tipped to claim his party’s nomination for the presidency.

After defying polls, Mr Fillon is now tipped to brush passed rival Alain Juppe and lead his Les Republicains party in a run-off election with far-right Marine Le Pen of the Fronte Nationale.

Mrs Fillon was born in Llanover and attended King Henry VIII school along with her four sisters. She is said to have excelled at French.

If her husband — a former French prime minister — manages to beat Ms Le Pen, the couple will move into the palatial Elysee Palace after next May’s election.