Melania Trump appeared to take inspiration from her iconic Inauguration Day hat during her recent visit to the U.K. Throughout the trip, she showcased a range of looks—some praised, others criticized, like the bold yellow dress featured in the couple’s official portrait.
But it was her wide-brimmed hat, worn while greeting senior British royals—King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine—upon her arrival at Windsor Castle via Air Force One, that sparked the most debate online.
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Melania Trump Wears A Dramatic Wide-Brimmed Hat
She opted for a tailored dark-blue Christian Dior haute couture skirt suit—one of her signature style staples—paired with matching pumps as she held hands with her husband. The true statement piece, however, was her purple hat. Unlike the prim fascinators often favored by Kate Middleton, Melania’s choice was a dramatic wide-brim plum design that shielded her eyes from the cameras and created a striking contrast against her navy ensemble.
Kate chose a more understated look, stepping out in a plum coat dress with matching pumps and a coordinating fascinator—far less dramatic than Melania’s bold choice. Queen Camilla’s hat was closer in scale to Melania’s wide-brim topper, but unlike the former First Lady’s, it didn’t obscure her face. She paired it with a monochrome blue ensemble for a polished finish.
Fashion critics were divided on social media as they shared their reactions to her hat online.
“Gorgeous as always, but I have to agree this hat is not complimentary to her,” said one person. A second commented, “That’s gotta be Melania’s double.” A third said, “Definitely a defense mechanism.” A fourth wrote, “Why is she wearing a hat inside? It’s rude.” A fifth joked, “FLOTUS: First Lampshade of the United States.”
Melania Trump's UK State Visit Outfits
On Inauguration Day this past January, she wore a navy wide-brimmed hat by American designer Eric Javits. The striking piece shielded the First Lady’s eyes as her husband was sworn in for his second term.
The mother of one appeared to thoroughly enjoy her U.K. visit, making sure her fashion choices were just as memorable as the events themselves—while still staying true to her signature polished style.
She kicked things off in a floor-length camel trench coat by Burberry, stepping off Air Force One at London Stansted Airport on September 16, alongside the president for their state visit. Soon after came her most talked-about look: the dramatic wide-brim hat paired with a Dior suit.
Later that evening, the First Lady turned heads at the State Banquet hosted by King Charles III and members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle. For the formal affair, she wore a strapless, off-the-shoulder yellow gown by Carolina Herrera, cinched with a contrasting lilac belt.
The following day, Melania joined Queen Camilla for a tour of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and the Royal Library, where she embraced a more structured look in a brown leather jacket and skirt from Louis Vuitton. Later, she switched gears for a casual outing with Kate Middleton at Frogmore Cottage, where the pair took part in outdoor activities with children from the Scout Association’s Squirrels program. For the occasion, Melania wore a fitted brown suede military jacket with khaki pants from Ralph Lauren, pairing the look with practical boots.
When it was time to fly home, she re-wore the same Ralph Lauren outfit—this time elevating it with pumps for a touch of travel-day glamour.
