Melania Trump accused of breaking protocol inside Windsor Castle as people spot hat detail

Melania Trump has been accused of breaking royal protocol during her ongoing state visit to the UK with husband Donald Trump.

The First Lady, 55, and US President, 79, are coming to the end of their two-day stay across the pond, where the couple have been spending time with the British royals.

Yesterday (17 September) Trump and Melania enjoyed a carriage ride through Windsor Gardens after touching down on the grounds via helicopter.

They spent time with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as Prince William and Kate Middleton, with the group attending a glitzy white-tie state banquet in the evening.

And today, the American couple split up so Trump could spend time talking politics with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while Melania joined the Princess of Wales for a joint engagement.

However, throughout their short visit, the POTUS and First Lady have raised eyebrows on a few occasions, with royal fans accusing them of breaking protocol.

Melania Trump has been accused of breaking royal protocol inside Windsor Castle (AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The latest instance they've been called out for is all about the outfit Melania wore yesterday upon their arrival at Windsor Castle.

She stepped off the helicopter in a black Dior two-piece suit and a very large, wide-brimmed plum hat, which partially covered her face.

And to the surprise of those watching the day unfold, she kept the hat on as the group headed inside - something that people have branded as 'breaking royal protocol'.

One Reddit user shared a snap of Melania alongside Camilla, pointing out that the Queen had taken her hat off but the First Lady opted not to.

Someone brutally responded: "Shouldn’t the White House employ an expert on protocol?

"Protocol or etiquette isn’t anything more or less than manners and showing respect for the culture and traditions of the other person."

While another added over on Twitter: "Melania doesn't realise it is a big breach of protocol to wear a hat inside. Anyone who has been in the military knows this.

Pictures of the First Lady wearing the wide-brimmed hat indoors have gone viral (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"The British know this. So embarrassing that we have idiots representing the US."

Someone else questioned: "Why has Melania got her massive wide brimmed hat on inside?"

While another person added: "Why does Melania have her hat on still? Doesn’t good etiquette say to take off hats inside? Or is that only at the table?"

And other Twitter users chimed in with: "What is Melania doing, wearing a hat inside?" and "Melania looks silly with her hat on inside when the other ladies have taken theirs off. You can’t see her eyes."

It comes after body language expert Inbaal Honigman explained to Tyla exactly why Melania made the bold fashion choice.

The First Lady is known for her bold fashion choices (Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"This is not the first time we observe Melania in a low, wide-brimmed hat," she said on behalf of OLBG. "In body language terms, this serves two functions."

Honigman added: "Firstly, it creates a safe space around her so nobody can get too close. Secondly, the hat can act as a cloak of invisibility, allowing the First Lady to employ all manner of facial expressions undetected.

"So much of non-verbal communication is executed by facial expressions that it can be more than 50% of body language."

"As the wide-brimmed hat slung low, it hides Melania’s forehead, eyebrows and - to a certain extent - her eyes, therefore making it hard to detect any sense of annoyance or frustration.

"Those emotions are conveyed via the forehead, the eyebrows, and eyes."