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 husband’s brash, in-your-face personality with her softness and femininity.
'Melania has shown interest in issues that are close to most people’s hearts, such as visiting sick children in hospital.
'There’s her support for military families, through her secret visit to injured servicemen at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the couple’s Fourth of July picnic for military families. She’s 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 Donald’s 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 hasn’t always played it safe with her fashion choices and her personal style remains boldly unaltered since she became First Lady.
'I’m 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.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
