People worldwide were eager to catch a glimpse of Melania Trump and Kate Middleton together during the First Lady's recent visit to the UK.
The occasion marked their first public appearance together, with Kate making a comment to Melania that has now been made public thanks to the work of a lipreader.
Melania, alongside her husband, President Donald Trump, arrived at Windsor Castle yesterday for a state visit. They were welcomed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and shortly after, the Trumps met with Kate Middleton and Prince William.
The couple greeted them after stepping off their helicopter, proceeding with a busy schedule that included state dinners, military parades, musical performances, and speeches.
Kate Middleton's comment
A lip reader, Nicola Hickling, who spoke with Tyla on behalf of Betfair Casino, observed an interesting moment between the two women.
As the 43-year-old royal escorted Melania to meet Queen Camilla, she was seen commenting on the First Lady's outfit.
"Your Macintosh is the same one I have, I wear it each time I fly," Kate said to Melania, according to Hickling.
Melania, in turn, responded with equal warmth: "I know, it’s exceptional and such a comfort. Sometimes I wear it to the house."
A shared love of fashion
This exchange adds to the growing narrative of the two women’s shared interest in fashion. Back in 2017, Melania made headlines with her powder blue dress and bolero for her husband’s inauguration.
Five years later, Kate wore a similar cornflower blue Alexander McQueen dress, causing fashion enthusiasts to draw comparisons.
Both women also have a fondness for polka dots. Kate was spotted wearing a black-and-white spotted Alessandra Rich dress for the 2022 memorial service for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, Melania wore a very similar design to mark National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in 2020.
Later today, Melania and Kate are scheduled to spend some time together at Frogmore Gardens. They will be joined by UK Scoutmaster Dwayne Fields and members of the Scouts' Squirrels program, which Kate was involved in as a child and currently co-presides over.
This visit is just the latest in a series of royal and political meetings that continue to strengthen ties between the UK and the US, with fashion playing an unexpectedly prominent role in their public interactions.