First Lady Hosts Dutch Royals at the White House

On Monday, First Lady Melania Trump welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to the White House, donning a striking black and white cocktail dress alongside her husband. It’s quite a standout choice, really.

Mrs. Trump opted for a floral brocade dress designed by the London-based brand Erdem. While this dress is part of a ready-to-wear collection, it’s noteworthy that it’s not currently available for purchase. It first appeared during Erdem’s Fall/Winter 2025 runway show.

The dress retails for an impressive $5,145. Interestingly, she paired this look with Christian Louboutin slingbacks—a shift from her usual choice of classic Manolo Blahniks or Louboutin So Kate pumps. That’s a bit unusual, but perhaps it’s nice to mix things up sometimes.

Following their visit, Mrs. Trump announced plans to manage funding for significant artwork intended for the James McNeil Whistler Museum. This artwork could potentially be featured in an upcoming exhibition hosted by Tate Britain and the Van Gogh Museum. This loan is particularly significant since White House art is typically only loaned to the Smithsonian’s National Gallery of Art.