Melania Trump decided to make a bold fashion statement at the state banquet on Sept. 17, but not everyone was pleased with her rule-breaking moment.
The first lady donned a canary-yellow dress designed by Carolina Herrera, paired with a lavender belt. The off-the-shoulder silhouette was form-fitting, but some critics took issue with the outfit. It seems that Melania broke royal fashion protocols, but not in the way you might think.
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes told Hello! Magazine that Melania followed the rules with a floor-length dress, and surprisingly, her off-the-shoulder design was not an issue. “Covered shoulders, gloves, and a tiara are preferred, but not ‘mandatory’ in today’s day and age, where the rules have relaxed – but only slightly,” she explained.
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U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the State Banquet hosted by King Charles III and members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle during the state visit by the President of the United States of America on September 17, 2025 in Windsor, England.
Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images.
The “long sleeves” of the gown helped make the design look more conservative, but Hayes believes Melania didn’t go far enough. “Royal state banquets call for a level of discretion and modesty. So while the off-the-shoulder look is completely acceptable for a state banquet, a slightly higher neckline would have been preferred,” she critiqued the gown. Yep, Melania was showing too much skin in the cleavage area, per royal standards.
Celebrity stylist Samantha Brown told the Daily Mail that the outfit “feels like a summery choice, and not quite right for the season.” The choice of color felt out of season for such a formal affair. “Melania typically makes strong, informed wardrobe choices; this dress doesn’t rank with her best looks,” she added.
The gown wasn’t the only topic of conversation during the Trumps’ visit. Melania’s oversized hat also got a lot of play. The first lady wore a burgundy hat to greet King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, and body language expert Judi James had some curious insight about the accessory.
“I’m fascinated to work out why Melania is wearing a similar-shaped hat to the one she wore to the inauguration, which forms the shape of a large lid that completely hides her face,” James told the Daily Mail. “For a woman known for her beauty, this shape of hat suggests a desire to hide.”
Melania loves to have a fashion moment, but the U.K. visit might not have delivered the results she was hoping for.
Before you go, click here to see celebrities wearing bridal looks to the red carpet.
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