Melania Trump took a leaf out of the Duchess of Cambridge's style book, opting to wear a red dress for a formal dinner to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Florida. The US First Lady looked ravishing in a red Valentino midi dress, which featured a daisy appliqué and thick straps. Melania was no doubt mindful of what colour dress she would wear when meeting the Chinese president and his wife Peng Liyuan; red is the national colour of China and symbolises good fortune and joy in Chinese culture.
Melania looks to have shortened the dress, which retails at £4,400, to fall just below the knee; the original is designed to sit just above the ankles. She paired the elegant scarlet number with floral pumps by her go-to-brand, Christian Louboutin. The So Kate shoes feature a daring 4.75-inch stiletto heel and a pointed toe.
Melania Trump looked ravishing in a red Valentino mini dress
The US First Lady was joining her husband Donald Trump for a reception and formal sit-down dinner at Mar-a-Lago, the US President's Palm Beach resort. Guests of honour Xi Jinping and wife Peng were treated to a traditional Caesar salad with homemade focaccia croutons, a choice of either pan-seared Dover sole with Champagne sauce or dry-aged prime New York strip steak, and chocolate cake with vanilla sauce for dessert. Guests sat down at one long table adorned with candles, floral centrepieces and the finest china and crystal.
The Trumps welcomed President Xi Jinping and wife Peng Liyuan to the US
Red is a popular choice of colour to wear when meeting officials from China. In 2015 the Duchess of Cambridge stunned in a bold red Jenny Packham gown, as she attended her first ever state banquet at Buckingham Palace. Kate joined her husband Prince William, the Queen and Prince Philip in welcoming the Chinese president and his wife Peng to the banquet. The Duchess completed her look with the Papyrus/Lotus Flower tiara.
Duchess Kate wore a red Jenny Packham gown to meet the president in 2015
Similarly, when former US First Lady Michelle Obama met President Hu Jintao in 2011, she wore a striking Alexander McQueen gown for the state dinner.