Melania Trump is set to take her biggest step yet as first lady. She’s leading the US delegation to an international sporting event for wounded service members.
This will be Melania’s first solo trip outside of the US to represent her adopted country without President Donald Trump at her side.
The daylong stop Saturday in Toronto also includes a brush with royalty.
The first lady is scheduled to meet for the first time with Britain’s Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014. She was also meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and delivering remarks at a reception for the nearly 100 American athletes participating in the weeklong Olympic-style competition. Melania will also attend Saturday’s opening ceremony, reports AP.
Her decision to lead the US delegation, whose members include Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, professional golfer Nancy Lopez and entertainer Wayne Newton, reflects the first lady’s “utmost respect” for the hard work, courage and sacrifice of the US military, said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for the first lady.
“She feels strongly that they - and their families - should be honoured every day,” Grisham said.
Grisham added that Melania also has “great admiration for the role the games have played in empowering those who have been injured while serving.”
At an event last week marking the 70th anniversary of the US Air Force, the first lady thanked the many members of the military who assisted thousands people whose lives were upended by recent powerful hurricanes that ripped through parts of the southern US and the Caribbean.