Melania Trump ‘body double’ conspiracy explained as UK appearance fuels theory yet again

As the Trumps make an unprecedented second state visit to the UK this week, a popular conspiracy theory about Melania has re-emerged.

The US President and his wife, Melania, landed at Stansted Airport at around 9pm last night (16 September), and will spend two days in the country where they will meet with King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Prime Minister Kier Starmer.

Protests have already sprung up around the visit, with police arresting four people after an image of Trump with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was projected onto Windsor Castle.

Theories have also begun to circulate online, including a possible gaffe in which Melania is shown 'arriving' in the UK in broad daylight, despite the Trumps disembarking from Air Force One at around 9pm.

But there's one conspiracy about Melania which keeps coming back time and again. I'm sure you know the one I mean.

Donald and Melania Trump in the UK (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Yes, it's the one that Melania is not actually here at all, but there is instead a 'body double' of the First Lady accompanying Trump.

Many people have once again begun spreading rumours on social media referencing the theory, with some being more tongue-in-cheek than others.

After seeing pictures of the Trumps together, one person instantly knew that something was up, quipping: "She's smiling. Must be fake Melania," referring to how she often seems to be less than ecstatic to be in her husband's company in public.

Others were also quick to speculate that Melania was not actually there at all, asking: "Is that the real Melania or the fake Melania?"

Another said: "If it’s the fake Melania, the coat could be hiding legs that are different than the right Melania."

Meanwhile, another wrote simply: "Looks like the fake Melania."

Others questioned the sense of speculating about whether there was a stunt double First Lady accompanying Trump.

Trump is on an unprecedented second state visit to the UK (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

"Why are Americans so into conspiracies?" questioned one person. "Why would Trump produce a fake Melania? Makes no sense at all."

The false conspiracy theory alleges that Melania, 55, is not thrilled about being seen in public with Trump due to a rumoured breakdown in the relationship.

There has even been speculation that the couple are in fact separated, and only appear in public together for official business. But the conspiracy theory takes that even further, alleging that she does not accompany him at all, and instead, there is a 'body double' hired to keep up appearances.

Since then, people have latched on to perceived differences in Melania's appearance during official events, claiming that this is evidence that the person behind the enormous designer sunglasses is not Melania at all.

Trump himself has even publicly addressed the theory, writing in his typically measured manner: "The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it’s actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places.

"They are only getting more deranged with time!"