She has been all but absent from Washington since her husband returned to the White House. Instead, her energy has been poured into monetising her status

(Wide-brimmed) hats off to Melania Trump, who has got herself one of the cushiest gigs in existence. Technically, she is the US’s first lady, but she has made it very clear that she has no interest in any of the tedious duties that normally accompany the role.

The former model was hands-off during her husband’s first term and it seems she intends to be even more detached from public life now; no shaking hands with commoners or kissing screaming babies. She has been noticeably absent from Washington in the past month, so much so that when she finally reappeared at the White House on Saturday, for an annual dinner with state governors, the mere fact that she showed up made headlines.