Posted on 07/08/2018 3:12:25 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Donald Trump is making his first presidential visit to the UK next week, and the First Lady Melania is set to be the most crucial member of his entourage, amid planned meetings with the Queen and Theresa May.
Huge protests are expected in London for Trump's first full day in the capital next Friday, but Melania, 48, could well be the key to ensuring the visit is still a success regardless, thanks to her positive effect on his public image.
Branding expert Claire Shiels told Femail: 'There can be no doubt that Melania balances out her husbands brash, in-your-face personality with her softness and femininity.
'Melania has shown interest in issues that are close to most peoples hearts, such as visiting sick children in hospital.
'Theres her support for military families, through her secret visit to injured servicemen at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the couples Fourth of July picnic for military families. Shes also opened a "healing garden" at a Washington children's hospital
'This emotive connection and involvement could well be continued during her visit here to the UK, at a time when Donalds visit will undoubtedly cause friction and dissent among the British public.'
Melania's wardrobe choices may also help to distract from any negativity surrounding her husband, as she's expected to sport a variety of highly expensive designer outfits.
While a First Lady or visiting royal will often practice 'diplomatic dressing' by wearing a designer from the region they're touring, Melania prefers to stick to her usual choices - expensive, big name brands such as D&G and Gucci.
Celebrity stylist Lucas Armitage told Femail: 'Melania hasnt always played it safe with her fashion choices and her personal style remains boldly unaltered since she became First Lady.
'Im not expecting her to see her embrace the visit by wearing London-based designers. If anything, I think she will showcase established American brands like Ralph Lauren and her usual favourites like Roksanda.'
Melania established her penchant for expensive labels early on, when she famously wore a $51,000 floral coat by Dolce & Gabanna, with a matching $1,630 purse to her first G7 in May 2017.
The First Lady did cause controversy with her wardrobe choices, however, when she wore a jacket emblazoned with 'I don't care, do u?' to visit children separated from their families at the Mexican border.
Aside from this furore, she's largely escaped negative press since her husband took office and her presence on the trip to Britain is a significant one.
She has accompanied her husband on overseas trips including visits to Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Vatican, Rome, Belgium, Poland, France, Japan and China.
But she did not attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January and last month missed the G7 summit and Trump's meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
Trump's UK visit will begin next Thursday night when he flies in from the Nato summit in Brussels.
His three day trip is thought likely to include a dinner with business figures at Blenheim Palace, meeting the Queen at Windsor and talks with Theresa May at her country retreat in Chequers.
He is also thought to be keen to play golf at his courses in Scotland.
The programme is being designed to ensure Mr Trump avoids London and the expected angry protests. He cancelled a trip last year for fear of demonstrations.
Best Best our Lady Liberty.
Beautiful, classy women always quiet the crowd...
Faint praise indeed....
....Lady Melania doesnt spend near as much on clothes as Michelle and looks a thousand times better
Just another attempt to steal President Trumps decent treatment from him. Why of course it would have to be for some other reason than his stature.
Hog wash!
Those boys behind the First Couple are most likely carrying and not playing.
Probably Secret Service.
The President should not go anywhere in London if at all possible. Mayor Khan would likely have some of his friends waiting to ‘greet’ the president in their own special way.
I put nothing past Mayor Khan.
Too bad. I enjoyed my brief time in London decades ago, while in the Navy. The Soho District. Piccadilly Square. were both full with tourists.
The play ‘The Mousetrap’ was being performed. The Russian Ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev was also in town. Of course, I could not afford either one.
Melania’s trip abroad should go well, so long as she leaves ‘that jacket’ at home.
That jacket will probably go to the Smithsonian or the presidential library.
I might enjoy watching Trump slam “Mayor Khan” face first into a brick wall...
Not the Smithsonian, I guarantee you.
Those running it now are proud Democrat-Progressives.
They had to be shamed into finally putting up an exhibit for Supreme Ct. Justice Clarence Thomas, second black American to receive such an appointment.
I hope “talks with Teresa” also include Trump telling her we are out of NATO and our bases in Germany and the UK will be closed by the end of the year.
Oh and that trade deal? We thought about it and decided, Nah!
I think Trump should just say ‘to hell with you May’ and cancel the snobbery over the non-state finish and go to Poland, Hungary or Italy instead.
>>she’s largely escaped negative press since her husband took office
wut? is the writer high?
She certainly is easy on the eyes.
Give the Mayor a rack of grilled spareribs as a gift.
Keep in mind that Melania attended Prince Harry’s Invictus Games when they were held in Canada. I’d think that must add to the good will toward Melania.
Since London is no longer a civilized metropolitan area, perhaps President Trump should visit Hadrian’s Wall. In the 2nd Century AD it was built to stop invaders.
Too bad he was barely civil to her.
FLOTUS is a liberal so they like her. I have no problem with FLOTUS if she has nothing to do with actual policy which includes persuasion/input.
London is still a great place to visit.
,
I am happy to hear you say that. “London is still a good place to visit.” Maybe the news reports are not the whole story after all.
There is so much Western history found only in England. Many aspects that effect us even today.
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