The Possible Meaning Behind the White Outfits Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, Kate Middleton, and Camilla Wore to the U.S. State Dinner
Did the British royal family coordinate outfits with the first family of the United States? That’s the question we’re asking ourselves after Queen Elizabeth II hosted President Donald Trump (learn why he didn’t bow to Queen Elizabeth II here) and First Lady Melania Trump today. Find out what the bigger meaning behind the white outfits may be, ahead.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Melania Trump both wore white earlier in the day
Again, we’re not sure if the royal family and the first family planned on the matching color scheme as part of the U.S. state visit or if it was all a big coincidence.
Either way, we know that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wore a white ensemble earlier today to welcome the president and first lady when they arrived by helicopter and landed in the Buckingham Palace gardens.
Upon disembarking, Melania Trump revealed her white outfit, a long sleeve knee-length dress with black accents and a hat.
Her ensemble proved to be very similar to Camilla’s, both women wearing shades of white and hats. The other part of the welcoming committee — Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II — didn’t partake in the white color palette.
During the welcome and tour of the Royal Collection exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II didn’t wear white. Instead, she opted for a shade of turquoise following her signature rule to wear bright colors at events to stand out in a crowd.
Camilla, Melania Trump, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth wore white to state dinner
Although photographs and videos of the U.S. State Dinner show Queen Elizabeth II in white as well as others. Melania Trump, Kate Middleton, and Camilla all followed suit and wore white gowns. Men wore black and white suits.
Again, are they making a statement with their outfit choices? Maybe. The color white signifies goodness, light, and positivity (think of angels clad in white).
Plus, there’s even more symbolism in the color because protests against Trump’s policies have been highlighted with protestors wearing white. For instance, Democratic congresswomen wore “suffragette white” to the president’s State of the Union address to fight for women’s rights and protest his policies.
Why white is a color often worn to state dinners
Although the choice of white ensembles may have been a symbolic choice by the British royal family and the U.S., it may have simply been a tradition.
“The royals often wear white to the state banquets and I wonder if this is partly to show off their sashes,” Caroline Castigliano, MarieClaire.com’s royal wedding expert and bridal designer told the publication.
“Kate wore her blue sash tonight for the first time that symbolizes her role as a member of the Royal Victorian Order,” she added.
Donald Trump and Meghan Markle controversy
Trump has been receiving backlash for 2016 comments he made about Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, who at the time was still an actress. During an interview, she called him “divisive” and critiqued his policies. Trump reportedly called Markle “nasty” and when confronted about the comment, claimed he never said that about Markle.
Today marks the first day of the three-day state visit. We’re sure there will be plenty more to unpack about President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump’s time across the pond in the coming days.
