Trump to host state dinner for Macron

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hold their first state dinner on Tuesday, hosting the leader of America’s oldest ally for a glittering event at the White House.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte will be the guests of honour at the dinner in the State Dining Room.

The First Lady and her staff have spent months preparing for the event and the White House released pictures and a 38-second video of Melania Trump overseeing the details.

Trump is the first US president in more than 100 years not to hold a state dinner during the first year of his administration.

More than 100 guests are expected to attend. The official guest list will be released shortly before the event.

The White House said the colour scheme for the dinner is cream and gold and food will be served on china from the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W Bush.

The Cross Hall of the White House will be decorated with more than 1,200 cherry blossom branches, while the dining room will feature white sweet peas and white lilacs. Entertainment will be provided by the Washington National Opera.

Dinner will be prepared by White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford.

The White House said it will showcase “the best of America’s cuisines and traditions, with nuances of French influences.”

The US last held a state dinner for a French president in 2014, when Francois Hollande was hosted by Barack and Michelle Obama.

WASHINGTON:US