Melania Trump joins Kate at Windsor for Scout event during U.S. state visit

Melania Trump joined the Princess of Wales on Thursday afternoon for a Scout-focused engagement at Frogmore Gardens in Windsor, as part of the U.S. state visit to the United Kingdom. The two women greeted Dwayne Fields, the Chief Scout, and were escorted to two groups of Squirrels taking part in nature-themed activities in Home Park, Windsor Castle.

The First Lady and Prime Minister Kate Middleton helped the children build a bug hotel and participate in leaf printing using fallen leaves collected from the gardens, before leading a badge presentation for the young Scouts and hosting a picnic for the group. The encounter offered a hands-on look at outdoor education programs run by the Scouts, with the two leaders alternating between instruction and conversation with the youngsters.

On arrival, Melania Trump wore a brown belted suede coat paired with cream cigarette trousers, signaling a more casual, autumn-appropriate wardrobe for the UK weather. In a departure from her typical footwear, she embraced brown leather flats rather than heels. Earlier in the day she had worn a leather skirt suit during a morning engagement at the Royal Library with Queen Camilla. Her hair and makeup remained polished, with subtle eyeshadow and pink lipstick.

The dignitaries’ afternoon came two days after Melania Trump made headlines at a state banquet in Windsor Castle, where she wore a yellow off-the-shoulder gown designed by Carolina Herrera. The striking dress drew widespread comment, with some observers noting inconsistencies in color across photographs and others debating the style against the backdrop of the event. A detailed breakdown of the gown’s appearance noted the dress appeared butter-yellow in some images, with a belt described by sources as Easter purple; variations in lighting and photography were cited by fashion observers as possible explanations. The event marked the Trump couple’s second state dinner in the United Kingdom since 2019.

The broader state visit continues a long-standing tradition of royal-hosted events and official engagements involving the U.S. delegation. The Princess of Wales, who has served as joint president of the Scouts with the Duke of Kent since 2020, has frequently paired royal duties with outreach programs that include youth-focused activities such as the Squirrels. The Trumps are scheduled to remain in the United Kingdom through Thursday, September 18, with a full slate of engagements planned in London and Windsor. During this visit, Wednesday’s wreath-laying ceremony at St. George’s Chapel and other ceremonial duties underscored the formal nature of the trip, alongside the lighter, more interactive moments like the Scout gathering at Frogmore.

The interaction at Frogmore Gardens offered a contrast to the more formal state events and provided a window into the day-to-day programs the U.K. hosts emphasize for visiting dignitaries. It also highlighted the ongoing public fascination with Melania Trump’s fashion choices during high-profile appearances, a topic that has recurred across multiple state visits and public occasions over the years. As the schedule unfolds, observers will be watching for how wardrobe decisions align with the tone of each engagement and how they are perceived in the context of the broader diplomatic visit.