The first lady and the princess: Two high-profile but private women prepare to meet on the world stage

First lady Melania Trump and Catherine Princess of Wales. Getty Images

It’s a diplomatic milestone.

Amid all the pageantry of President Donald Trump’s UK state visit, two high-profile figures are making a special appearance that’s sure to be among the most scrutinized moments of the trip.

First lady Melania Trump and Catherine, Princess of Wales are private spouses with massive global platforms. And while their joint appearance this week underscores the UK’s effort to cultivate ties with the first family at a sensitive time geopolitically, it’s also a key moment for both women and the roles they play on the world stage.

For Trump — who’s embarking on her first state visit of her husband’s second term — preparing for the trip has been “a monthslong endeavor,” said one source