Donald and Melania Trump arrived at Rome's Fiumicino Airport last night ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, an event that drew numerous global dignitaries to the Vatican City on Saturday morning. While the arrival was seemingly routine, it soon became apparent that protocols for the solemn occasion had been observed with varying degrees of strictness among the attendees, including the former US president.
Detailed guidelines for the funeral attire were distributed to all guests, emphasising that men must wear a dark suit, black tie, white shirt, and black shoes, without medals or additional accessories. However, Donald Trump’s choice of clothing deviated noticeably from these instructions. He wore a bright blue Brioni suit paired with a matching satin tie and brandished an American flag lapel pin, standing in contrast to the sombre dress code adhered to by most participants. This sartorial decision distinguished him among the gathering in St. Peter’s Square, where attendees largely conformed to the Vatican’s strict dress code. Similarly, former President Joe Biden’s blue tie and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s absence of a tie were also departures from the dress norms.
Conversely, Melania Trump’s attire strictly complied with the prescribed guidelines and the expectations placed upon a prominent Catholic figure attending such a historic event. The first lady, seated beside her husband on her 55th birthday, wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana double-breasted tuxedo coat accompanied by a bespoke Chantilly lace veil and matching gloves, completing her ensemble without any jewellery. This adherence reflected Melania’s reputation for meticulously curated fashion decisions aligned with the gravity of political and ceremonial moments.
The decision to wear Dolce & Gabbana, an Italian fashion house known for its traditional Catholic influences, underscores Melania Trump’s recognition of the cultural and religious significance embedded in her outfit. The brand’s collections often incorporate ecclesiastical motifs and include deep black dresses and lace veils, elements drawn from traditional Catholic imagery. This choice adds a layer of symbolic weight to her appearance and demonstrates an alignment with the formal tone of the Vatican event.
Melania’s commitment to precise and meaningful dressing follows a history of such carefully considered choices. Raised in Slovenia, a predominantly Catholic country, she became the first Catholic First Lady in the United States since Jacqueline Kennedy, a parallel that has been widely noted in public discourse. This connection was also reflected in her previous meeting with Pope Francis in 2017, where she similarly chose Dolce & Gabbana, reinforcing a continuity of fashion and faith on significant occasions.
The high level of formality in Melania’s attire contrasts with Donald Trump’s notably more vibrant look, highlighting differing approaches to protocol within their public roles. Among other notable figures, former President Biden and President Zelensky also appeared less strictly aligned with the dress code, suggesting varying interpretations or emphases placed on tradition amid the broader gathering of political leaders.
As the leaders and luminaries assembled to pay tribute to Pope Francis, the interplay of fashion, faith, and protocol at the funeral event offered a glimpse into the layered nature of public representation on such solemn international stages. Melania Trump’s choice in particular reflects an ongoing engagement with the cultural and religious symbolism that intertwines with her public persona. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s divergence from dress rules added a distinctive element to the visual narrative of the day’s proceedings in the heart of Rome.
Source: Noah Wire Services