Hats! Jewels! Dresses! Tiaras!
State visits are as much about what everyone is wearing as they are about what they’re saying and doing.
It is an exercise in fashion diplomacy - and there has been plenty of it on display as US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania visit the UK.
From the First Lady's hat, to the Princess of Wales's feather brooch, here are some of the most eye-catching looks so far.
Melania's hat and a British classic
Melania is no stranger to impressive headwear - her white and navy wide-brimmed hat was a talking point at her husband's inauguration earlier this year. There was an awkward moment when Trump tried to kiss her and the brim of her hat made it a tricky task. Cue the internet blowing up.
The first lady has gone for a similarly dramatic flourish on day one of the state visit. She arrived at Windsor Castle wearing a wide-brimmed purple hat that seemed to obscure her eyes, which she paired with a timeless dark grey suit by Dior.
PA Media"Melania's hat is not by chance," said Marian Kwei, a celebrity stylist and Vogue contributor.
"The hat with the wide brim that hides her face is pointing to a stance where she wants all eyes on her husband and his agenda while here," she added.
She noted that it matched the exact colour of Trump's tie, in "a nod to her support for her husband's agenda during this state visit".
Dior is a favourite fashion house for Melania, and, for Kwei, her decision to wear it is a nod to America's support for Europe.
ReutersAt Wednesday night's formal state banquet, Melania went bold.
Yellow! And a baby pink belt!
The strapless floor length, long-sleeved stress is nothing short of a statement.
Gone was the hat, so for the first time on Wednesday, we saw her full face. She wore her hair down, and completed the look with sparkling, dangly earrings.
Phil Noble/ReutersFor Kwei, Melania's daring look is a sign that the Trumps are forging their own path.
"Her choice of bold punctuation of clashing colour palette states clearly Trump's modus operandi that he will continue to do things his own way," she said.
On Tuesday, Melania stepped onto UK soil wearing the most British of fashion items: a Burberry trench coat.
She wore the honey-coloured, floor-length coat with the collar turned up, while flashes of its signature lining were visible underneath.
Melania, 55, completed the look with black sunglasses and boots.
ReutersVanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic at The New York Times, said that wearing a British-made coat could be an example of engaging in sartorial diplomacy, which is something many first ladies have done.
For the Trumps' last state visit in 2019, Melania – a former model – also dressed in her British best, opting for brands such as Burberry, although she added a mix of European fashion houses too (think Celine and Dolce & Gabbana), as well as American designers including Michael Kors.
It will be interesting to see how the choice of a British brand on this trip will be perceived back at home, says Kwei, given that Trump's message is about serving the interests of the United States before those of any other country.
King and Queen match in blue
Getty ImagesThe Queen, 78, was seen in a vibrant sapphire blue dress, a matching coat by Fiona Clare and hat by Philip Treacy.
She completed the look with a sapphire and diamond brooch.
Later, the Queen attended the evening banquet wearing a royal blue silk marocain embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, and a sapphire and diamond tiara, and the King's Family Order.
Aaron Chown/REUTERSPrincess of Wales's outfit sends diplomatic message
Getty ImagesThe Princess of Wales, 43, wore a burgundy Emilia Wickstead dress and a matching hat by Jane Taylor.
From both the Queen and the Princess, it's a strong showing for British designers.
Catherine completed her look with a feather brooch.
Kwei noted it was interesting that, like the Trumps, the princess also chose to match her outfit to her husband, the Prince of Wales, 43, who wore a burgundy tie.
"As with Melania, this is to show support and that she's at one with her spouse and home country's agenda," she said.
"Blue and red!", royal expert Victoria Murphy said of the outfit choices by the Queen and Catherine.
"This seems a clear example of coordinated diplomatic dressing to me, to reflect the US flag. It's an example of how the outfits can send a powerful diplomatic message."
Phil Noble/ReutersFor the state banquet on Wednesday evening, the Princess of Wales wore a couture gown by British designer Phillipa Lepley with a full-length, hand-embroidered gold Chantilly lace evening coat over a silk crepe gown.
The coat featured hand-embroidered roses with couched gold cording, accented with French knots and satin-stitched blooms.
She completed her look with the Lover's Knot Tiara.
"Formal state banquets are one of the rare occasions when royals wear tiaras," said Kwei. "Kate is wearing her favourite tiara, which is no surprise. It was a favourite of Princess Diana, and originally belonged to Queen Mary."
"This is a really show-stopping dress and for me it really fits with the theme of this State Visit being extra," said Murphy.
She noted that Catherine's dress, in gold, isn't a colour we see her wear a lot.
"But when she has worn it in the past, for example for [film] premieres, it has always been a real red-carpet moment," Murphy added.
The dress code for the state banquet is white tie, and the Prince of Wales did not disappoint.
He was decked out in formal regalia and his orders, and wore an elegant Windsor tail coat.
"This is William at his most formal," said Murphy.
She noted that on day-to-day engagements, the younger royals, in particular, can often be quite informal - but for an occasion like this, they pull out all the stops.
"The formality is all part of honouring the visiting guest," she said.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : Noor NanjiCulture reporter, Windsor Castle - BBC NEWS
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