Melania Trump used her wardrobe to send subtle messages during the US president's state visit to the UK, including a nod to Princess Diana, according to a style expert. The First Lady's outfits were carefully chosen to win over her hosts and express gratitude, said The Daily Mirror's Style Director Amber Graafland on the podcast "Pod Save the Queen."
Ms Graafland noted that Melania's navy and white ensemble when she met the Queen, Prince Charles, and Camilla echoed a favourite colour combination of Princess Diana. "The hat and the outfit were very, very similar to things she wore in the past, so maybe that was a subtle nod," she said, adding that the choice was likely deliberate.
Before leaving Washington, Melania wore a Gucci dress featuring London landmarks, a tactic similar to that of the Duchess of Cambridge, who often uses clothing to communicate messages during royal tours. Ms Graafland said, "It was fairly clear that she was trying to warm up her hosts – it was a nice touch."
Upon arrival at Stansted, Melania wore a Burberry blouse with medal prints, which Ms Graafland described as "a nice tribute to D-Day." At the state banquet, the First Lady, along with Camilla and Kate, chose white evening dresses, matching the Queen, who often favours white for state occasions. Ms Graafland explained, "It's not official that everyone wears white, but it's something that works – they know there's no colour clash and everyone looks good together."
