Melania Trump Bares Her Shoulders in Striking Yellow Gown at UK State Banquet
Online viewers criticize the U.S. First Lady’s daring dress at a royal function, calling it “embarrassing” and “inappropriate.”
Once more, the fashion choices of the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) have sparked a furor on the internet. Melania Trump’s bold appearance was criticized for being completely out of step with the evening’s regal tone, turning what was supposed to be a moment of diplomatic glitz into a social media battleground.
Online critics focused on Melania’s divisive dress—which even prompted remarks from a celebrity stylist and Vogue contributor—rather than policy during the Trumps’ dinner with King Charles III and Queen Camilla beneath Windsor Castle’s cavernous ceilings.
A Fashion Disaster and a Royal Dinner?
The FLOTUS and President of the United States (POTUS), Donald Trump, attended the historic and opulent State Banquet hosted by the British monarch in Windsor, England, on September 17, 2025.
Melania stood out against the lavish backdrop in a floor-length, off-the-shoulder, bright canary-yellow gown with a dramatic side slit, long sleeves, a structured bodice, and a striking lavender belt. Large, eye-catching earrings and pointed-toe heels finished off her ensemble.
Her husband wore a white bow tie and a traditional suit with a tailcoat. Queen Camilla chose a magnificent royal blue gown with delicate details and a sparkling tiara, while King Charles III stood next to them in formal regalia, replete with ceremonial sashes and medals.
The photo opportunity showcased a fusion of modern fashion and old-world grandeur, with Melania’s outfit garnering much of the attention—and not always in a positive way.
“It’s […] Not a Night Club”: The First Lady Is Tormented by Critics
The fashion backlash was quick, with online users expressing their thoughts about Melania’s choice of clothing on a variety of channels. There were others who pondered, “What in the world is Melania wearing [sic]….” and those who concurred, “Melania’s dress didn’t fit the event.”
“This belt is just….nuh-uh,” wrote another. I might be wrong, but wearing off the shoulder to such a function [sic] isn’t proper protocol, right? and someone else said, “It’s not a nightclub, it’s a state dinner.” So embarrassing. What attire does Melania have on? Another onlooker commented, “She looks really out of place.”
The takedowns continued after that. “Looks like a banana and the belt seriously,” said one critic. According to another, “The belt ruined the look.”
Meanwhile, some people appeared uneasy when they saw pictures of the FLOTUS, POTUS, King, and Queen together. One visitor commented, “This is such an uncomfortable photo,”
A Vogue Contributor’s View and an Isolated Voice of Appreciation
On the other hand, amid the sea of criticism, a rare word of praise emerged. One admirer exclaimed, “She always looks so stunning 😍,” providing a single voice of gratitude for Melania’s daring dress decision.
Even fashion experts, however, expressed skepticism. According to renowned stylist and Vogue writer Marian Kwei, Melania’s dress was “not the expected colour [sic] to see at a high state banquet.”
“Although it perhaps is in keeping with state dress protocol, the strapless gown is a little on the daring side,” she continued, implying that the ensemble risked seeming dangerously close to a fashion faux pas at such a historically traditional occasion.
Did She Violate the Rules? The Real Reasons for the Dress Code
Despite the controversy, Melania’s outfit legally did not violate royal protocol, as the celebrity stylist had previously indicated. The FLOTUS’ vivid yellow gown may have drawn attention, but it complied with the State Banquet’s formal dress code, according to the Daily Mail.
Women attending such events are expected to wear a full-length ball gown, ideally with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, as part of the conventional white-tie dress code. Long gloves were originally thought to be necessary, but contemporary interpretations no longer hold that to be the case.
Male visitors are still expected to wear full evening costume, which includes tails or a dress suit, which is the most formal level of dress.
Royal Diplomacy Is Defined by These Banquets, Not Just by Dinner
The formality of the dress code is just one aspect of the significance of the State Banquet. For over a century, American presidents have been welcomed to the UK by succeeding British monarchs in a lavish manner, showcasing the long-lasting transatlantic relationship with well planned ceremonies and royal grandeur.
These meals are rich in custom and symbolic meaning, and they are frequently hosted in the gilded halls of Windsor or Buckingham Palace.
Every interaction has signaled a new chapter in the ongoing history of UK-US diplomacy, from former President Woodrow Wilson’s landmark visit following World War I to Queen Elizabeth II’s meeting with President Dwight D. Eisenhower at Balmoral in 1959.
While former President Ronald Reagan had a horseback ride at Windsor Home Park with the late Queen during his visit in 1982, former President John F. Kennedy and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy famously dined with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1961.
More recently, in 2011, the Queen graciously hosted former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama.
Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the POTUS’s first State Visit to the UK in 2019, and this week’s event was his second visit. With the current King and Queen leading the hosting tradition, the 2025 Banquet at Windsor Castle carries on the friendship and diplomatic relationship between the two countries against such a rich historical setting.
Melania Trump’s Changes in Clothes: From Traditional Morning to Vibrant Evening
Melania’s clothing choices at the Ceremonial Welcome earlier that day set a very different tone. As they were formally welcomed by the royal family, the FLOTUS stood next to Donald wearing a beautifully fitted charcoal outfit that had a structured jacket, knee-length skirt, and matching high heels.
A wide-brimmed hat completed the ensemble, lending it a timeless elegance and seriousness appropriate for the diplomatic setting.
The modest ensemble emphasized the day’s visual narrative of duality, which was one of tradition and restraint in the morning and daring fashion innovation at night, by standing in stark contrast to the bright yellow gown Melania Trump would don mere hours later.
