As Donald Trump disembarked from his helicopter, Marine One, in the grounds of Windsor Castle, he did so with his wife, Melania, by his side.
The President of the USA was also flanked by the Prince and Princess of Wales, before being greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
For anyone watching Trump’s second UK state visit unfold, it’s hard not to notice the striking outfit the First Lady has worn for the occasion.
Opting for a dark colour palette, Melania wore a grey Dior suit with a large hat — a choice which has become somewhat of a signature look for the 55-year-old.
Such a bold outfit has left fashionistas wondering if the mum-of-one is sending a message on such a historical day.
Some have pointed out that the statement headwear, almost covering her eyes, is a shield from the public eye.
One X user said: ‘She always wears a hat to cover her eyes when she feels uncomfortable.’
‘She seems to use that hat to retreat, or hide,’ wrote another.
Others though, say it’s a power move, down to the hat’s regal, purple colour. ‘She is sending a message that the “real” royalty is her husband,’ wrote one eagle-eyed X user.
Melania does seem to be a fan of major hats for major occasions. In January, she wore an eye-catching wide-brimmed boater hat by Eric Javits. And, in 2019, she wore a custom hat by Herve Pierre to meet Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
Shielding her face could, in part, be a reaction to the scrutiny that she receives being married to a controversial figure. Back in 2018, Melania claimed to be ‘the most bullied person on the world.’ When pushed to elaborate she added: ‘One of them – if you really see what people are saying about me.’
Oriona Robb is a personal stylist with two decades of experience. She believes Melania’s outfit choices are ‘rarely accidental’.
‘When she wears a large hat that partially hides her face, it can feel like a way to keep control, to shield her expressions and maintain a sense of privacy, even in public,’ Oriona tells Metro.
‘It’s almost like saying, “you can look, but you don’t get everything.”‘
Oriona also agrees that the hat’s hue is telling us something. Oriona says: ‘Purple has long been associated with royalty and dignity, making it a subtle nod to the King while still asserting her own presence.’
The stylist adds that the tailored silhouette of her suit also ‘conveyed authority.’ And as for the sombre dark hue, this is a choice Melania has made before. On her husband’s Inauguration in January — a day of celebration — she also opted for a more muted tone.
Oriona suggests that choosing a colour palette that might seem at odds with an exciting day is a ‘quiet way of showing distance from the moment, or a deliberate choice to project seriousness and strength.’
Oriona says that, ‘what Melania wears seems to speak when she doesn’t.’ And, it wouldn’t be the first time that she may have sent the world a message with her wardrobe.
In 2018, Melania famously wore a jacket with the words ‘I really don’t care, do you?’ emblazoned across the back. She chose the outfit for a visit to the New Hope Children’s Shelter in Texas.
The centre housed 55 children, including some who had been separated from their parents as a direct result of her husband’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal immigration.
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