This week, Melania Trump is set to accompany her husband, President Donald Trump, on a three-day official state visit to the UK – and many eyes will be on her.
Although she often keeps a low-profile, rarely joining him on White House engagements, Melania will make an exception.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the First Couple at Windsor Castle, as Buckingham Palace – usually where state visits take place – is under renovation.
Trump and Melania – who are set to arrive in the UK on Tuesday – crossed the pond in 2019 for a similar three-day state visit during his first term. But that time, they met with the late Queen Elizabeth II and attended multiple events, including a dinner with the royal family at Winfield House in London. This visit includes a grand state banquet.
During the 2019 trip, Melania stunned in her outfits, some of which were made by British designers. One of her Gucci dresses even featured a playful nod to the country with prints of beloved London landmarks including Big Ben, Tower Bridge, double-decker buses and the Houses of Parliament.
Local designers included Burberry and Irish-born milliner Philip Treacy.
She supplemented those with other outfits from Italian luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, and American designers Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, one of her favorites.
Melania mostly chose muted tones, wearing a lot of navy blue, khaki and white. But she pulled out a bright red, beaded cape dress by Givenchy for dinner at the US Ambassador’s residence.
On September 17, Melania Trump is set to accompany her husband, President Donald Trump, on an official state visit to the UK. She last accompanied him in 2019 for a visit, seen here with Queen Elizabeth II
Melania is seen here during her last UK state visit in 2019
In 2019, Melania stunned in outfits made by British designers. Melania seen here in a London-themed Gucci garment as she left for the UK in 2019
According to both royal experts and stylists, there are some particular fashion rules Melania will want to follow this time around.
David Loranger, PhD and associate professor of fashion marketing and merchandising at Sacred Heart University, told the Daily Mail exclusively about what the First Lady needs to wear in order to avoid a public gaffe.
‘During a state visit, it’s generally a faux pas to wear anything that might compete with your host. In other words, if she tried to load up on jewelry (such as a tiara) to compete with the Royals, it could be considered bad form.
‘She’s also had issues wearing items that contain messaging, such as the “don’t care” jacket which, whether she intended it or not, sent a message. So that should be avoided.’
He also said any type of UK-specific dress item or pattern, like the plaid tartan, ‘might be viewed as appropriation’ and should be ‘edited out’ of stylists’ selects.
Loranger stressed that Melania needs to be extra careful with her outfits, especially because ‘anything she wears could be misconstrued due to increased tensions related to the US’s relatively antagonistic stance towards the UK in recent months.’
He recommended that the First Lady stick to classic looks on this particular trip.
And, in a shift from tradition, the professor revealed that he thinks Melania should not wear a British designer during the visit.
The British designers she’s sported included Burberry, and hats from Irish-born Philip Treacy. Melania seen here in 2019 during her last state visit
They will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle as Buckingham Palace is under renovation. Melania is seen in 2019 with the late Queen and Camilla
The president and first lady are seen here ahead of dinner at Winfield House with the royal family in 2019
Their visit to the UK comes just as police are set to launch one of the largest drone operations in British history to counter threats during their trip. Melania seen here during a trip to London in December 2019
‘She’s there as a representative of the American People, therefore, she should fulfill that role by wearing an American designer.
‘I think it enhances the festivity of the occasion by displaying an American perspective on fashion and style.
‘She also should consider perceptions back home in the US. The administration has been dogged about “Made in America” and they should walk the walk, or ironically risk being viewed as unauthentic.’
UK police are set to launch one of the largest drone operations in British history to counter any threats during Trump and Melania’s trip.
Pilots from Thames Valley and other forces including Hampshire Constabulary will fly the devices above a ring of steel on the ground surrounding Windsor Castle.
The policing operation will be the largest since the King’s coronation in 2023, and the scale of resources deployed will be similar to that of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, sources told the Daily Mail.
