The House of Trump is known for its admiration of the House of Windsor and it appears the First Lady’s most anticipated fashion statement of the year could have royal inspiration. Melania Trump arrived at the Presidential Inauguration in a boater hat that was just about all you could see of her and it immediately recalled one of the most famous royal moments Washington has known.

Back in 1991, Queen Elizabeth II chose a similar boater style hat for a State Visit to the United States. Just like Melania’s it was in a dark hue (Her Late Majesty chose majestic purple while the First Lady went for black) and, just like Melania’s, it had a white stripe effect (three for Queen Elizabeth II, just one for Mrs Trump). Both were worn to the Capitol on a big day for a president. However, what everyone now remembers is that, just like Melania’s, this hat ended up being all you could see.

For when Queen Elizabeth II stepped up to speak, at the invitation of the then President George H W Bush, everything but the hat appeared to disappear. The stage had been set for the late Queen’s considerably taller host and so as the royal speech began, its creator was lost behind a huge microphone.

It resulted in what is now known as the ‘talking hat’ speech in which the boater took centre stage and refused to yield it. It would appear the First Lady’s hat had a handle on royal history for at times during the ceremony that saw Donald Trump sworn in for his second term as US President, pretty much all that could be seen of the First Lady was that hat.

It is, to be fair, a rather impressive hat. Melania Trump chose American designers for her inauguration outfit, wearing a custom coat dress by Adam Lippes. The New York house was relatively unknown until Mrs Trump picked it for the style statement everyone wanted to see. The hat, now one of the most talked about fashion moments of the year, is by  Eric Javits. Melania Trump’s millinery was a motif of her first time as First Lady and while hats haven’t been favoured at recent inaugurations, she’s put headwear firmly back on the map which may well have been part of her reason for choosing it.

Whatever the motivation, she unexpectedly recalled that very famous royal moment in Washington. The Nineties are the fashion theme of 2025 so she was right on trend with this rewind to 1991. Add in George H W Bush’s son, George W Bush, producing a series of giggles and face pulls that more than one person likened to Prince Louis, and it appears that the royal influence in the Capitol is strong.

The House of Trump and the House of Windsor will, no doubt, meet again during this second term. Meanwhile, that boater has thrown its hat into the ring as a regal style statement that no one expected.