First Lady Melania Trump faced widespread criticism on social media after her itinerary for the UK state visit included viewing Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House while President Donald Trump engaged in diplomatic discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on September 18, 2025.
The controversy stemmed from the stark contrast between the activities planned for the president and first lady during their final day at Windsor Castle. While Trump traveled to Chequers for bilateral meetings covering Ukraine, Gaza, and trade agreements, Melania Trump toured the world’s largest dolls’ house with Queen Camilla.
The BBC reported that Queen Camilla and Melania Trump spent their morning examining Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, which features working electricity, running water, and a fully stocked wine cellar. The structure, designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, was built for Queen Mary as a gift from the nation following World War One and required over 1,500 artists and craftspeople three years to complete.
During their tour, the women viewed miniature books created for the dolls’ house’s library, including works by Julia Donaldson and a recipe book by Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles. The Queen showed Melania some of the books that were specially commissioned for the dolls’ house’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2024, including Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s “The House Mouse” and “Music for a Dolls’ House.”
Following the dolls’ house visit, Melania Trump joined Catherine, Princess of Wales, for an unprecedented joint engagement at Frogmore Gardens. The two women met with Chief Scout Dwayne Fields and 20 Squirrel Scouts, aged four to five, who were participating in nature activities to earn their “Go Wild” badges. Fields described the morning as successful, noting that both women were personable and spent considerable time with the children during drawing and other activities.
During the Scout visit, Catherine organized special packed lunches containing sandwiches made with honey from her Norfolk home. A young girl took Melania’s hand and led her to a table where children were building “bug hotels” from cardboard and tubes. When asked about her favorite insect, Melania responded “a ladybug.”
Meanwhile, President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer held substantive discussions at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire. Their talks covered the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, with both leaders expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump indicated that Putin had disappointed him personally, while Starmer argued that Putin showed no genuine interest in peace negotiations.
The leaders announced a new technology partnership worth approximately $350 billion, which Trump described as securing significant investment deals for both nations. The agreement includes commitments from major firms like Microsoft and Google to invest billions in UK operations, focusing on artificial intelligence and nuclear power initiatives.
Critics on social media platforms questioned the appropriateness of assigning traditional “wives’ activities” to accomplished women during such high-profile diplomatic visits. Commentary from various outlets suggested the optics reinforced outdated gender roles, with some questioning whether similar activities would be planned for male spouses of female leaders.
Fashion coverage of Melania Trump’s visit highlighted her diplomatic wardrobe choices, including a tailored gray Dior skirt suit with a dramatic mauve hat for the castle visit, and later a caramel brown leather suit with floral embroidered lapels during her tour with Queen Camilla. For the Scout engagement, she wore a suede brown Ralph Lauren jacket with cropped cream pants and nude leather ballet flats.
The state visit concluded successfully from a diplomatic perspective, with both Trump and Starmer maintaining cordial public appearances despite acknowledging disagreements on issues including Palestinian statehood recognition and immigration policy. The president and first lady departed the UK aboard Air Force One from Stansted Airport shortly before 6 p.m. local time on September 18.
The visit marked Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom, making him the first US president to receive such an honor twice. The three-day trip included ceremonial events at Windsor Castle, a state banquet attended by 160 guests, and the laying of a wreath at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb in St. George’s Chapel.
