First Lady Melania Trump's official portrait released

The first official portrait of First Lady Melania Trump in her new role has been released.

The photograph, which Ms Trump promptly posted to Twitter and made her profile picture, was taken at the White House.

In the glamorous image, the 46-year-old Slovenian former model is wearing a black blazer over a black blouse with some sequin detail on the neck. 

She is also sporting the 13-carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring given to her by Donald Trump in 2004, which is reportedly worth about $1.5 million.

Exact details of who has taken the photo and where has yet to be released by Trump's administration.

However, the image has generated a lot of conversation on Twitter, being re-tweeted and commented on by thousands of people online.

Many criticised the "glamour shot" and the size of the diamond ring which, they said, could be used to feed people in starving countries.

Others praised the "lovely" photo and the "pretty" First Lady.

Ms Trump remains in New York with 10-year-old son Barron. It is expected the pair will move to Washington at the end of the school year.

The First Lady has managed to stay relatively out of the spotlight but appears to be increasingly embracing her new role.