'Disrespectful' Melania Trump criticised for leaving sunglasses on during D-Day ceremony
Melania Trump has been criticised for wearing sunglasses throughout yesterday’s D-Day ceremony – with many calling US President Donald Trump’s wife “disrespectful” and “tasteless” for the move.
D Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history, when the Allied Forces of Britain, America, Canada and France attacked the German army on the coast of Normandy, France.
As many as 4,400 soldiers died from the combined forces, according to the BBC, in what’s widely regarded as the turning point which ended World War Two.
Yet during the 75th anniversary event, sitting alongside world leaders and D-Day veterans, the First Lady kept her oversized designer sunglasses firmly on.
READ MORE: Ivanka Trump criticised for not putting her hand over her heart during national anthem
![Melania Trump's sunglasses during the D Day ceremony proved offensive for some. [Photo: Getty]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MUyWWOXA6TgBLc4pCEiWJg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUxNw--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/tboXYO4VuqWLny4FdJ5R4A--~B/aD03NTY7dz0xNDA0O2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5cfa290a210000fd08e6bfaa.jpeg)
Twitter was quick to criticise her for not removing them during the important service.
Why did Melania Trump not remove her sunglasses at this most solemn D day ceremony? How disrespectful! Mrs Macron wasn't wearing sunglasses. I guess she is uncomfortable making eye contact. She thinks she is sitting on the French Riviera sipping champagne!!
— Marie LoGuercio-Drummond (@LoguercioMarie) June 6, 2019
@FLOTUS Rather unbecoming and tasteless of you to speak to the First Lady of France with your sunglasses on. Unbelievable.
— Mary Sunshine (@getouttherenow) June 6, 2019
@FLOTUS Apparently you were not well brought up. How dare you keep sunglasses on during our day of remembrance at Normandy. Of course considering where you really are a citizen & your Russian connection I am not in the least bit surprised! #DDay https://t.co/FM9zK3MPeq
— TerézaEliasz-Solomon (@HeiressMommy) June 6, 2019
Can anyone explain to me why Melania Trump never took off her big dark sunglasses at the D Day ceremony? She didn't even remove them for the National Anthem. Very odd indeed.
— Marie Gerdeman (@MarieGerdeman) June 7, 2019
Why is @FLOTUS wearing sunglasses at the ceremony?#DDay75thAnniversary
— kirby (@EDGE_Industries) June 6, 2019
@FLOTUS take off the sunglasses!!! Rude as hell
— Gail baughman (@GailBaughman) June 6, 2019
In contrast, other notable women in attendance – according French president Emmanuel Macron’s wife, Brigitte Macron – left their sunglasses off.
@MELANIATRUMP the sunglasses have to go. #Disrespectful. The difference between Brigitte Macron and our so called First Lady. Shaking hands with our #Veterans with her sunglasses on. #NotCool.
— Dgonly1 (@dgonly1) June 6, 2019
However, not everyone saw Melania’s sartorial choice as disrespectful, with some arguing the backlash was “petty”.
READ MORE: Melania Trump cheat sheet
Another Twitter user suggested there was a medical reason for Melania wearing the sunglasses, like a headache.
@FLOTUS I think that Melania looked absolutely SENSATIONAL in all the clothes she wore, at the D-day 75 year Celebrations. It didn't matter that she wore sunglasses though, she probably had a headache or had tired eyes. Why are people so quick to judge on Our First Lady?
— J.J ~ Mandy Stevens (@amanda_janie) June 7, 2019
This so petty, I would have done the same thing and never thought I was being disrespectful ...FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! https://t.co/FgngxzVXij
— Frances Driggers (@francey52) June 6, 2019
To all the folks complaining about the First Lady’s sunglasses, if you have even a shred of intelligence you must realize that the only disrespectful thing happening was the shenanigans in DC (btw it is not Trump and melania, It is the President and the First Lady) #basebitches
— judy brinkman (@brinkmanja) June 7, 2019
Of course, this isn’t the first time Melania’s sartorial choices have proved offensive.
Her choice of a jacket emblazoned with the words “I really don’t care, do you?” while visiting the US border facilities caused a huge amount of controversy this time last year.
READ MORE: How much choice does Melania Trump gets in what she wears?
Others have poked fun at the First Lady’s choice of fashion in the past, most recently the so-called “cabin crew inspired” look she wore to disembark a plane at London Stansted during the Trump state visit earlier this week.
See all the looks from Melania Trump’s working wardrobe:
