Melania Trump has once again become a major topic of discussion — this time because of royal etiquette and an $80,000 designer gown.At an extravagant White House state dinner held on April 28 in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the First Lady appeared in a pale pink strapless Christian Dior Haute Couture dress that immediately drew attention.
Some viewers saw the gown as graceful and stylish. Others felt it was too bold for a traditional white-tie occasion shaped by royal protocol.In the United Kingdom, state banquets usually follow an extremely formal white-tie dress code, considered the most elevated form of evening attire. For men, that means full formal dress, often called “tails,” sometimes worn with royal honors such as sashes given by the monarch.
The rules are detailed and strict: black trousers with braided side seams, patent leather shoes, a white bow tie, a stiff-front white shirt, a low-cut white waistcoat, and a black tailcoat worn open with peaked lapels.For women, tradition usually calls for a floor-length evening gown, often with a structured bodice and a full skirt. Long gloves are no longer always required, but the overall appearance is generally expected to be formal, elegant, and modest, often with covered shoulders.
