Eyebrows raised as Melania arrives without a gift for Jill Biden ahead of inauguration

When Melania Trump arrived at the White House on inauguration day in 2017, she came bearing a gift for the outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama.

A Tiffany blue box tied with white ribbon – the contents of which remained secret for a year – caused a kerfuffle at the time, as it was unprecedented.

Fast forward to today and the incoming First Lady arrived empty-handed when she greeted Jill Biden on the steps of the most famous building in the US.

Watch the video above.

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While some wondered if it was a snub for the outgoing First Lady, it is possible Melania reverted to protocol, having left Michelle confused when she thrust the gift into her hands on that history-making winter's day eight years ago.

The fact that now former US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were there to greet the Trumps on the day Donald took office for a second time is a departure from four years ago.

The Trumps famously failed to show up at Joe Biden's inauguration. The history-making snub came as Trump at the time continued to allege the 2020 election was rigged.

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There was no such snub this time around, with the Bidens making good on the promise that there would be a peaceful transfer of power, unlike four years ago when Trump incited an insurrection to try to overturn the election results.

Instead, the Bidens stood outside the White House, where they greeted the incoming president and his new First Lady.

Eight years ago, as Melania thrust the gift towards Michelle, she looked confused and could be heard saying, "You bought a gift?" before searching for someone to take the large box from her hands so they could pose for obligatory photos.

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When that didn't happen, video footage from the day shows she clearly planned to hold the box for the official photo call before her husband intervened.

Barack Obama could be heard directing the Trumps where to stand for the photos before he takes the gift from his wife's hands, saying "No, no, no, hold on a second."

He then says he will be 'right back' before heading inside with the gift before returning empty-handed for the photo.

Michelle addressed why she looked so confused during a 2018 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

"Well, there's all this protocol. I mean, this is like a state visit, so they tell you that you're going to do this, they're going to stand here,' she said.

"And never before do you get this gift, so I'm sort of like, OK."

When asked what was inside the box, Mrs Obama revealed "it was a lovely frame."

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It is traditional for the outgoing and incoming presidents and their wives to meet at the White House for tea before travelling to the inauguration, which this year took place indoors.

Melania again made headlines for her inauguration day style choice, this time donning a navy wool coat and pencil skirt by American designer Adam Lippes which she paired with a large hat.

The hat, in the same hue as her outfit but with a contrasting band, was designed by New York milliner Eric Javits and largely hid her eyes.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama was a no-show at the inauguration, announcing last week she would not accompany her husband to the event. No reason was given.

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