Melania Trump turns heads with odd outfit choice on UK state visit: 'Witness protection'

Melania Trump's choice of hat set tongues wagging after she and US President Donald Trump appeared alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle - with one observer asking: "Has she been taken into witness protection?" The First Lady is accompanying her husband on an unprecedented State Visit, during which the Royals are rolling out the red carpet, with a lavish banquet and a Red Arrows fly-by.

However, it was her choice of attire that sparked curiosity, in particular a purple wide-brimmed hat which in effect concealed the top half of her face. In pictures shared by the Larry the Cat X account, a spoof of the famous Number 10 moggy, Melania's face is completely concealed while she, her husband and Royal Couple chat in the Palace's Green Drawing Room.

"Larry" asks: "Has Melania joined witness protection?"

It is not the first time Melania has turned heads with her attire.

In 2018, she caused something of a stir when she wore a green jacket emblazoned with the phrase "I really don't care, do u?" during a visit to a migrant child detention centre, prompting intense speculation about its intended message.

Despite her spokesperson initially denying any hidden meaning, Melania later clarified that the jacket was a personal statement, though the timing and context fuelled ongoing debate and criticism.

Larry himself, meanwhile, has history with the Trumps, having famously hidden under The Beast, the President's armoured car, during his last state visit in 2019.

Mr Trump was in ebullient mood during Beating Retreat on the East Lawn on Wednesday afternoon, joking with King Charles and even patting him on the arm.

It is the first time the ceremony has been performed at an incoming state visit.

The King and Mr Trump were seated in chairs next to the Queen and the First Lady, alongside an audience including Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Starmer and British and US military personnel.

The Massed Bands of the Royal Marines, the Coldstream Guards and the Royal Air Force, with the Old Guard Fifes and Drums from the US Army Band, took part.

During the display, the King appeared to point out the Old Guard Fifes and Drums to Mr Trump as the band moved towards them from the right.

The quartet spoke with each other during the display, with Camilla seen at one point laughing and holding on to her own hat amid windy conditions.