U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Viscount Henry Hood upon arrival at London Stansted Airport, the U.K., for a state visit to Britain, on Tuesday. As Melania, 49, walked beside her husband, the iconic Burberry tartan print on the inside lining of her coat was visible.
According to the Daily Mail, Melania received widespread praise for her outfit from online observers, with many commenting that she looked "elegant" and "beautiful." One social media user wrote: "Burberry - compliments! Well thought out going to the U.K."
For her first officials event on Wednesday, Melania opted for a purple wide-brimmed hat paired with a dark grey Dior suit as she attended Windsor Castle.
According to BBC, fashion experts noted that the choice of headwear was no accident. Celebrity stylist and Vogue contributor Marian Kwei commented: “The wide-brimmed hat that hides her face suggests she is focusing attention on her husband and his agenda during the visit.”
The hat, Kwei pointed out, matched the color of Trump’s tie, further signaling Melania’s subtle show of support for her husband’s agenda.
Known for her elegant fashion choices, the First Lady also turned heads with her white and navy wide-brimmed hat at her husband's 2017 inauguration.
At the State Banquet later that evening, Melania chose a bold strapless Carolina Herrera gown. According to Kwei, the gown’s color was unusual for such an event, but it conveyed a strong statement. Kwei noted that while the gown might adhere to state dress protocol, the daring strapless style set it apart.
On the U.K. side, on Wednesday, Queen Camilla attended daytime events wearing a sapphire blue dress, a matching coat by Fiona Clare, and a hat by Philip Treacy. The ensemble was completed with a sapphire and diamond brooch, as she coordinated with her husband, King Charles, who wore a blue suit and pale blue tie.
As she welcomed the Trumps at the airport alongside her husband, Prince William, Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, arrived in a burgundy Emilia Wickstead coat dress paired with a matching hat by Jane Taylor.
Her outfit included a feather brooch and a Chanel bag, reflecting a thoughtful balance of elegance and tradition. Like Melania, Kate coordinated her outfit with her husband, Prince William, who wore a matching burgundy tie.
Fashion expert Kwei observed that Kate’s choice mirrored that of the Trumps, with both couples opting for matching hues to signify unity.
“It’s an example of how outfits can send a powerful diplomatic message,” said royal expert Victoria Murphy.
She added that the red and blue shades reflected the colors of the American flag, further reinforcing the idea of diplomatic dressing.
For the evening’s State Banquet, Princess Kate wore a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley, complemented by a full-length gold Chantilly lace coat. The hand-embroidered gown adhered to the event’s “white tie” dress code, with intricate floral detailing that made for a show-stopping look.
Murphy noted that gold is a color Kate does not often wear.
“But when she has worn it in the past, for example for [film] premieres, it has always been a real red-carpet moment," she said.
