Former White House Social Secretary reveals the real story behind Melania and Michelle's awkward gift exchange

Former White House Social Secretary Deesha Dyer shared details of that famously awkward gift exchange between Michelle Obama and Melania Trump at President Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017.

The 47-year-old said the Obama camp was of the understanding there would be "no gifts, then handshakes, then photographs" when Melania and Donald Trump arrived at the White House and were received by outgoing US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle.

But things didn't go to plan and Melina got out of the car carrying a Tiffany & Co gift box.

The former White House Secretary said she was "so mad" when she spotted it.

READ MORE: The Cosby Show star dies in family holiday tragedy

She has recalled the awkward exchange in her new book Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble, out now.

"As the Trumps proceeded out of the limo, I noticed Mrs. Trump carrying a very identifiable cyan-blue Tiffany's gift box in her hand," she wrote.

READ MORE: As Prince George turns 12, this is how his life will change

"Now, this may not seem like a big deal to most onlookers, bit it was a very big deal to me because I'd confirmed with the Trump advance team that there was not going to be a gift exchange between the couples."

She said at this point she was "freaking out".

"First of all, with practically the whole world watching, we're now accidental brand ambassadors for Tiffany & Co," she wrote.

But secondly, Michelle had asked if gifts would be exchanged and they were told, per Trump's team that it wouldn't happen.

Dyer had no choice but to watch it all unfold, unable to prevent what she now describes as "my worst nightmare for my last event".

She saw Barack take the box out of his wife's hand while she made a beeline for the door, feeling that he was going to try to hand it off to someone inside.

She met him and "grabbed the box before I shuffled back to the window, put the box down, and escorted everyone through the front doors to the Blue Room".

The awkward exchange was noticed by the world's media and is still discussed to this day.

Dyer said her main concern was that Michelle would think she hadn't briefed her correctly.

"Even though it definitely wasn't my fault, I still wanted to pull the Obamas aside and apologise to them for messing up the arrival," she writes.

She said she felt "sick to her stomach" over it but the show "had to go on".

Michelle spoke about the awkward exchange on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, confirming she had been told there would be no gift exchange.

"What am I supposed to do with this gift? And everyone cleared out and no one would come and take the box. And I'm thinking, Do we take the picture with it?" she said.

READ MORE: Pack this in your carry-on in case your checked luggage goes missing

"And then my husband saved the day. See, he grabbed the box and took it back inside. But everybody cleared out. No staff, no one. I was like, What do you do with the box?"

The gift turned out to be a "lovely" Tiffany silver frame.

Dyer had been working with the Obama administration for six years when she was selected as White House Social Secretary.

The social secretary is responsible for every event that takes place in the White House grounds, other than the Oval Office and press room.

In her book, Dyer spoke about her struggle to navigate the role with the necessary diplomacy.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.