Melania Trump impressed royal watchers today after she showed another side of herself during her official welcome to the UK by King Charles and Queen Camilla. The First Lady of the US joined her husband, Donald Trump, today as they were welcomed in Windsor with military pomp and pageantry, on Mr Trump’s second state visit to Britain.
The Trumps were first greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales before being welcomed by the King and Queen. After the ceremonial welcome, the American couple also received a personal, family-centred greeting from the King and his immediate family, with Mr Trump complimenting the Princess of Wales in turn.
Around 1,500 troops are involved in the ceremonial events throughout the day—almost double the number on duty for France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit.
The day featured a carriage procession through the grounds of Windsor Castle, accompanied by a sovereign’s escort of 80 mounted soldiers – similar to scenes from Trooping the Colour – and a 120-strong guard of honour, the largest staged for a state visit in living memory.
But according to the Mirror, one of the day’s highlights was Melania’s warmer approach to her long-time “pen-pal” King Charles, whom she appeared to be delighted to see.
The First Lady is known to be stoic and does not generally reveal her emotions during engagements, but today she was snapped, grinning from ear to ear when meeting the King. She wrote about her friendship and correspondence with the monarch in her memoir, released in 2024.
It is understood that the pair write to each other and have bonded through their interest in gardening, the arts and architecture.
Melania wrote in her book of the first state visit to the UK in 2019: “The evening’s state banquet was a formal and elegant affair.
“I was seated next to Charles, and it was an absolute pleasure to reconnect with him. Our paths had crossed many years ago in New York City.
“This time, we engaged in an interesting conversation about his deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation.”
She revealed that she enjoys her “ongoing correspondence” with the King, adding that she and her husband still “exchange letters” with the monarch “to this day”.