Melania Trump serenaded by schoolchildren at Salvation Army centre
A child who met the first lady says she was "really fun" and "nice" - although she had expected her to be "grumpy".
Thursday 5 December 2019 09:29, UK
Melania Trump helped schoolchildren to make Christmas decorations and was serenaded by a choir as she visited a Salvation Army centre in east London.
The US first lady was serenaded by around 30 children singing Mariah Carey's festive classic All I Want For Christmas Is You at the Clapton charity centre.
She appeared to say "bravo" as the ensemble finished.
Mrs Trump is visiting the country as Donald Trump participates in a NATO summit.
She spent around 20 minutes helping the children create Christmas wreaths made of sparkly pipe cleaners, pine cones and tinsel.
She chatted with the children about the festive season and praised their Christmas outfits.
The first lady also revealed she had never eaten a mince pie.
Isabelle Bates, 10, said Mrs Trump told her she would try one of the Christmas treats that evening.
"I thought she was really fun," she said.
"My impression of her was really nice. Everyone was expecting her to be grumpy but she was really nice.
"There was a picture in school we saw and we were looking at it and she looked really grumpy. But she wasn't."
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Her friend, Quiana Mullings, nine, added: "I'm gonna be honest and say her make-up was a bit much."It made her look sad but actually she was very happy."
The first lady also joined US Embassy Marines assembling gift bags as part of the Salvation Army's present appeal for local families.
She placed items including a frisbee and a football into bags, along with her Be Best logo.
Mrs Trump also handed out Be Best branded ornaments to the children before leaving in her motorcade.