Trump gives Melania the honors of flipping the switch for the National Christmas Tree

President Donald Trump let first lady Melania Trump do the honors and light the National Christmas on Wednesday evening as some members of the Trump family looked on.

‘Let’s light the tree. The first lady will do the honors,’ he said, gesturing to his wife, standing next to him in a white coat with a white turtle neck underneath, white leather gloves, white boots, and with her hair in an updo. 

Melania Trump was wearing her coat – a $4,150 Max Mara Beaver Belted Wrap Coat – instead of draping it over her shoulders – one of her signature fashion moves – in the 35 degree weather.  

President Trump and Melania Trump lit the National Christmas tree Wednesday evening

The president let the first lady do the honors and flip the switch

The president let the first lady do the honors and flip the switch

Host Antonio Sabato Jr. helped the first lady light the tree while the president looks on

Host Antonio Sabato Jr. helped the first lady light the tree while the president looks on

‘Merry Christmas. Thank you,’ the president said. He wore a dark overcoat, red tie and black leather gloves. 

Joining the couple were Donald Trump Jr and his girl friend Kimberly Guilfoyle. Also spotted were Trump daughter in law Lara Trump and daughter Tiffany Trump.

At last year’s Christmas tree lighting, Donald Trump Jr. was joined by his wife Vanessa and their family.   

Host Antonio Sabato Jr. introduced the first couple for their ceremonial duty of lighting the tree. 

The first couple then walked off the stage – with the president helping the first lady down the stairs – and presumably sat down in seats with the Trump family.

Christmas carols played.  

Lighting the National Christmas Tree is one of the presidency’s oldest traditions. 

The National  Christmas Tree on Wednesday before the lighting ceremony

The National Christmas Tree on Wednesday before the lighting ceremony

The tree after the first lady lit it

The tree after the first lady lit it

Donald Trump Jr. brought Kimberly Guilfoyle to the lighting ceremony

Donald Trump Jr. brought Kimberly Guilfoyle to the lighting ceremony

Lara Trump attended the tree lighting with her son; Tiffany Trump walked in behind her

Lara Trump attended the tree lighting with her son; Tiffany Trump walked in behind her

The festive atmosphere features Christmas carols and special musical guests as part of the official White House holiday celebrations.  

The first lighting took place 96 years ago on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 spectators on the Ellipse of the White House). Since then, each succeeding president has carried on the tradition.

This year’s ceremony was hosted by Antonio Sabàto Jr., a longtime Trump supporter who spoke at the Republican National Convention.

Singer Abby Anderson was one of the performers.  

The National Christmas Tree is a living Colorado blue spruce from Virginia, which can be seen year-round in President’s Park, the grassy area adjacent to the White House grounds.

Surrounding the National Christmas Tree are 56 smaller trees with one-of-a-kind ornaments, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia.

Schools from around the country contributed ornaments.

The National Tree’s official twitter account shared pictures of them and the students who worked on them.

Abby Anderson performs during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree

Abby Anderson performs during the lighting of the National Christmas Tree

South Dakota ornament

South Dakota ornament

Students from South Dakota painted ornaments with horses and water ways from the state

Nevada Christmas ornament

Alaska Christmas ornament

Nevada’s ornament has the date it became a state and Alaska’s has a fish

Students in Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls painted ornaments to represent South Dakota. The ornaments were painted with items the state is known for including horses, cattle, flowers and rivers.  

Students in Norfolk, Va., contributed ornaments that feature the Virginia state seal and a bright-red cardinal.

Students in Nevada included the date their state joined the union on their ornament while Alaska’s ornament has a fish. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk