Melania Trump drew attention at a Windsor Castle state banquet on Wednesday evening when she appeared in a floor-length buttercream-yellow off-the-shoulder gown by Carolina Herrera, paired with a contrasting belt. She stood beside President Donald Trump and alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla in the ornate setting of St. George's Chapel.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that the dress was buttercream yellow and included an Easter purple belt. Photos of the moment showed the gown appearing either bright yellow or softer butter-yellow, depending on lighting and image processing. New York stylist Liz Teich suggested that photography can distort color, noting that photographers often adjust saturation and contrast and that yellow is a trend linked to optimism.
Some critics argued the ensemble was busy, pointing to the combination of a bold yellow dress with a lavender belt and emerald earrings as competing focal points. Celebrity stylist Samantha Brown described the styling as distracting and said the off-the-shoulder cut felt a bold choice amid a sea of gold lace, royal tiaras and formal attire. She added that butter yellow has been a summer fashion staple, though it can feel out of place as the season shifts toward autumn.
The dress at Windsor marks the second time the Trumps have traveled to the U.K. for a state dinner. Earlier in the day, Trump walked with King Charles during the ceremonial welcome, and the couple laid a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in St. George’s Chapel. They are expected to remain in the U.K. through Thursday, Sept. 18.
Beyond the ballgown, fashion observers have long noted Melania’s hat and accessory choices. Earlier in this trip she wore a notably large wide-brimmed purple wool hat, and her January inauguration appearance was punctuated by a navy wide-brimmed hat that sparked memes and conservative commentary. The public discourse around her wardrobe has been a recurring feature of her high-profile international visits.
Carolina Herrera has dressed Melania on several high-profile occasions over the years. The designer’s work has appeared at other state events, including appearances during a 2018 trip to the U.K. that featured a pale yellow cape-sleeved gown by J. Mendel. In India in 2020, Melania wore a white Carolina Herrera dress with colorful stripes during a two-day state visit. The First Lady’s wardrobe choices have consistently drawn attention from fashion critics and the public alike, reflecting the broader attention paid to her public appearances.