Even with a small army of stylists, hairdressers and make-up artists at their disposal, it’s surely only human to feel a soupcon of empathy for the Princess of Wales and America’s First Lady, Melania Trump.

Yes, they knew what they were getting into when they married their husbands. But as any married person will attest, you can only really know the truth of something when you’re living it.

Their truth is that their wardrobe choices will be appraised, dissected and judged by the eyes of the world – and never more so than on this particular State visit.

Meanwhile, their husbands’ wardrobe choices will fly almost entirely under the radar. 

For the Prince of Wales and the President of the United States, formal suits will be the order of the day. Unless either is particularly ill-fitting or crumpled, nobody cares.

And so it falls to the fairer sex to provide the colour and the beauty. Bloated? Jet-lagged? Recovering from cancer? Too bad: get your three-inch heels on, ladies, there is work to do. 

The ‘work’ being to make your countries proud, and fly the flag for fashion while you’re at it.

Whatever the outcome of President Trump’s ‘historic’ state visit – his second, in case he hasn’t told you – it’s certain to go down in the history books as an elite lesson in diplomatic dressing.

On Wednesday morning, the Princess of Wales met the Trumps off their helicopter at Windsor looking powerfully on-trend in a bespoke knee-length double-breasted coat by British designer Emilia Wickstead, costing approximately £2,200. 

It was in this season’s most fashionable colour, burgundy, and worn with a matching Jane Taylor ‘Neso’ hat decorated with a satin bow and matching burgundy veil.

Given the blustery conditions – the wind, but also the downwash from the helicopter’s rotor blades – said hat must have been virtually cemented to her head.

She accessorised her look with a feather Prince of Wales brooch, ruby earrings and £650 Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps in coordinating brown suede. 

Her outfit was neatly finished off with a small £5,100 Classic Flap Bag in quilted burgundy leather, with a distinctive enamel handle, by Chanel.

Touching down on Windsor Castle’s manicured lawn, Melania Trump’s saucer hat, in regal purple, must have been equally well-secured. 

Rather than diplomatically opting for a British label, however, she remained loyal to her longstanding French favourite, Christian Dior. 

Though perhaps the fact its new creative director is the Northern Irish-born designer, Jonathan Anderson, made her choice feel suitably deferential.

Her haute couture single-breasted suit, in dark grey wool, was comprised of a long-line jacket and a knee-length pencil skirt. 

She completed the look with classic black pumps, though she omitted to carry a handbag. A power play?

The provenance of their outfits apart, both women opted for tried and tested silhouettes they’ve worn many times before. 

The Princess’s Emilia Wickstead coat was cut in the same ‘fit and flare’ style that is one of her most favoured, highlighting her waist, while the subtly plaited skirt ensured freedom of movement. 

Likewise, Melania’s Dior jacket was cut in one of her favourite styles, comprised of a neat waist and subtle padding over the hips. A pencil skirt is another of her signature styles.

As is a trench coat, with Mrs Trump touching down on British soil on Tuesday evening in a floor-length iteration by Burberry. 

Some judged it too long, and accused her of looking like Inspector Gadget. Others deemed it very elegant. 

It was certainly very diplomatic. Burberry is one of the most venerated luxury heritage brands in Britain, worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II as well as Queen Camilla.

Melania Trump may not be royal, but in her Burberry trench coat and her purple hat, she seems determined to be regal.