Amid the pomp and pageantry of US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, Melania Trump, the first lady of the US, and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales are making a special appearance.
The high-profile ladies are popular internationally. The joint appearance of Melania and Kate this week is significant for their roles, and it highlights the UK’s efforts to forge close relationships with the first family during a sensitive geopolitical time.
Organising presents and de-conflicting outfits have been part of Melania’s “monthlong endeavour” to prepare for her first state visit of Trump’s second term in the White House, according to a source familiar with state visit planning.
This is a strategic use of Kate’s star power, as she only resumed a more relaxed engagement schedule last September after reducing her appearances to undergo chemotherapy.
Journalist Elizabeth Holmes, author of “HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style,” said, “There are clear stars here, and Kate is at the top of that list.”
As they capitalise on the royal family’s skill for creating memorable photo ops, Holmes noted that the two women’s first appearance together, which will take place on Thursday when they visit a scouting program, “would go a long way in terms of strengthening diplomatic ties.”
Preparations for all the pomp and ceremony of the state visit began in February when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally presented King Charles III’s invitation to Trump in the Oval Office.
A lengthy list of dos and don’ts, as well as themes for conversation both on and off camera, must be followed by even visiting American presidents and their wives. To have a meaningful diplomatic exchange, the president and first lady have been working with their aides and the State Department for months to choose presents for their hosts.
The first lady is also known for her meticulous preparation and study.
“If she does any public event, but in particular foreign events, she knows that there’s a heightened level of scrutiny on it, just in terms of sheer coverage. She really has a keen eye for what will be displayed publicly, and how she wants to look,” as source familiar with the matter said.
Melania will receive a brief with biographical facts about the leaders she will be meeting and a more substantial binder with information about the personal interests and plans of her counterparts for such outings.
Much consideration has also gone into what she will wear.
A White House official told CNN that the first lady “has been planning her outfits, specifically her dress for the dinner with the king and queen, for months.”
At events where they would be seen but not heard, her outfit choices convey a powerful message, and diplomatic channels are frequently used to convey these details beforehand.
“We were pretty forthright, calling and saying, ‘Is she wearing blue today? And what shade of blue is it?’ And then we would wear navy if she was wearing sky blue. We definitely don’t want to clash – we want to complement,” the inside familiar with planning said.
Melania touched down in style with her husband at the Stansted Airport in London on Tuesday. The first lady looked stylish in a sand-coloured double-breasted Burberry coat that hung down to her ankles and cinched at the waist when the collar was turned up and a black T-shirt. She paired it with knee-high Dior Empreinte riding boots. During their first state visit to the nation since 2019, Melania’s dark hair was styled in delicate waves.