Melania Trump showed off her new blonde hair colour as she welcomed a Christmas tree to the White House.
The US First Lady continued the long-held tradition despite the coronavirus pandemic in what will be the Trumps’ last festive season at the presidential residence.
President Donald Trump – who was not present for the tree arrival – has finally caved and allowed Joe Biden to begin his transition to power in the lead up to his inauguration on January 20.
A military band played a mash-up of Christmas songs yesterday as a maskless Melania, 50, oversaw the arrival of the 18-and-a-half foot Fraser fir tree, which had been shipped in from a farm in West Virgina.
(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
The businesswoman and former model greeted a horse-drawn carriage carrying the tree outside the North Portico – with both coachmen and a horse handler in face masks.
Melania then posed for photos with the tree farmers Dan and Anne Taylor before wishing waiting press a “Merry Christmas” and going back inside.
She ignored one reporter who asked how President Trump is doing.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The tree will be displayed in the Blue Room.
The National Tree Association has provided the presidential tree since 1966 following a competitive selection process before a Grand Champion Grower is crowned.
However, the NCTA confirmed there was no formal selection event this year.
The tree arrival marks the start of a number of annual public and private White House holiday festivities.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
And despite public health experts describing previous functions at the residence as superspreader events, many of this year’s dos will go a-head in a stripped back fashion.
“The People’s House will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah while providing the safest environment possible,” East Wing chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.
“This includes smaller guest lists, masks will be required and available, social distancing encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the State Floor.”
The President is due to partake in the lighthearted pardoning of turkeys before Thanksgiving later this week.
Turkeys Corn and Cobb are currently staying in a hotel room at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC, awaiting the ceremony.
