Melania Trump tries on AI sunglasses as First Lady joins forces with Queen Camilla

Dorothy Reddin
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:13:32 +0000

First Lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla hosted an innovative educational programme today, bringing together American students at the White House Tennis Pavilion for a technology-driven exploration of British and American history.

The event, part of Mrs Trump's "Fostering the Future Together" Be Best initiative, saw young participants engage with cutting-edge virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools to learn about the cultural connections between the two nations.

Several students taking part are current state champions in the Presidential AI Challenge.

The Tennis Pavilion itself represents one of the First Lady's architectural contributions during the 45th Administration.

Equipped with Meta Quest headsets featuring the "Fostering the Future Together" branding alongside American and British flags, students embarked on a fully immersive 360-degree journey through iconic UK locations.

The virtual experience transported participants to the dramatic Welsh peaks of Snowdonia and Northern Ireland's remarkable Giant's Causeway.

They also explored the ancient mystery of Stonehenge before viewing the exterior of Buckingham Palace.

The immersive technology enabled students to develop a deeper appreciation of British geography and culture without leaving Washington.

This advanced virtual approach allowed young learners to experience these celebrated landmarks in ways traditional classroom teaching could never achieve.

"Today, students all over the world can visit historically important sites, learn about the past, and be inspired," Mrs Trump said during the programme.

The First Lady emphasised how modern technology has transformed educational possibilities for young people.

"Our children don't need to board aeroplanes to experience history anymore," she explained. "Kids can have an educational experience that is fundamentally richer and more memorable than ever before, through VR and AI."

Her remarks highlighted the programme's central premise: that virtual and artificial intelligence tools can deliver learning experiences that surpass what was previously possible with conventional methods.

Following the virtual reality segment, Mrs Trump presented a collection of historically significant objects for examination through Meta's AI glasses.

The curated artefacts, drawn from the White House Collection and National Archives, illustrated the enduring relationship between America and Britain.

Students viewed a portrait of President John Adams, who served as the first US Ambassador to the United Kingdom, alongside a Second World War situation map created for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A bronze bust of Winston Churchill and Staffordshire ceramics that demonstrate early transatlantic cultural exchange were also displayed, along with gifts from previous state visits.

Both Mrs Trump and Queen Camilla engaged directly with participants throughout, encouraging discussion about history and technology.