Melania Trump and Prince Harry continued to play keep away from Meghan Markle at the opening of the Invictus Games in Toronto over the weekend. The U.S. first Lady and the British Royal sat side by side while the American actress was carefully positioned 18 seats and four rows away.
Earlier, the prince officially greeted the first lady, with no sign of his girlfriend – something fashionistas probably yearned for. Trump and Markle each are golden, usually. Imagine them together.
It marked the first time Harry’s actress girlfriend has attended an official royal engagement, but rather than publicly appear with the man many believe will soon be her fiancé, Markle instead attended the ceremony with close friend Markus Anderson, The Hill noted.
Though Markle no doubt was under Buckingham Palace instructions to make a discreet appearance at the opening ceremonies, her outfit drew immediate attention.
The Telegraph described it as a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by Aritzia and matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage slung over her shoulders.
Melanie Trump opted for an oversized black and white power suit believed to be from Parisian fashion house Dior, The Express said, but the outfit’s pattern combined with the wide legged trousers created an unflattering effect for the former model, who looked more frumpy than glam.
One can only imagine everything that went into seating arrangements and appearances. Certainly various foreign offices since Trump and the prince were seated within shoulder tapping distance of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie-Gregoire Trudeau, flanked by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife.
Certainly the palace, as the Daily Mail notes, "Because they are not engaged, royal protocol dictates that Harry and Meghan cannot sit next to one another at official events." Prince William and Kate Middleton followed the same rules and there were reports that Markle is already up to speed on royal protocol.
No doubt the White House was involved.
One offshoot of all the deliberateness, there was no possibility of either Markle or Trump upstaging the other by their outfits.