First, it was the wide-brimmed, low-slung hat.

It appeared to cover the first lady’s eyes. But it also was a familiar sight.

As she descended the steps of Marine One alongside her husband at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Melania Trump emerged wearing a navy structured skirt suit and her dramatic purple hat. The president wore a dark suit and a tie with a purplish hue to match the first lady’s accessory.

The statement headpiece was reminiscent of the black and white hat she wore for her husband's second inauguration ceremony in January. At the time, the choice immediately sparked conversation online, with fashion and political observers alike weighing in. Some applauded the dramatic pick, while others jabbed the first lady, and it even even spawned X accounts.

This time was no different.

Within minutes of Melania’s public appearance, the internet was atwitter with comments.

“Melania Trump is once again the epitome of style on their state visit to the UK. The purple hat speaks of royalty,” said one X user.

Another wondered: “Were good stylists laid off under the DOGE program?” referring to the Department of Government Efficiency established by Donald Trump to slash into the size of the federal government.

Another joked: “Show the Royals your impression of a hat stand”

The former model’s sartorial choices are endlessly dissected – as they have been of most first ladies. Former first lady Michelle Obama baring her arms in sleeveless dresses caused uproar in some corners of the internet, while others aspired to her toned arms. Jackie Kennedy is widely considered a style icon.

The royal welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle was the first official engagement of the president and first lady’s second state visit to the UK. William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were at hand at the bottom of the Marine One steps to receive them.

For the lavish banquet at Windsor Castle during her second UK state visit, Melania Trump wore a bright yellow, floor-length, off-shoulder dress with a lilac belt designed by Carolina Herrera.

She paired the dress with long emerald earrings.

On Sept. 18, as she toured the Royal Library at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, the first lady wore a caramel brown leather skirt suit by Louis Vuitton.

For her outing with Princess Catherine for a tour of Frogmore Gardens, Melania Trump wore a brown leather belted jacket by Ralph Lauren with cream ankle-length pants and ballet flats. Princess Catherine also kept it casual, wearing a long dark brown skirt paired with a short hunter-green jacket.

The choices won approval of the internet.

“The look was in perfect keeping with the setting: smart but practical and tied into the natural surroundings with a palette of greens and browns,” a blog dedicated to the Princess of Wales' fashion picks shared on X. “Melania Trump also embraced an outdoorsy aesthetic, wearing a belted suede utility jacket in tan with slim trousers and heels.”

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A purple hat, a yellow dress: What to know about Melania Trump's UK fashion picks

Reporting by Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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