Melania goes to Washington: First Lady wears a stunning skirt suit to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in her first official appearance since Trump was sworn in 

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First Lady Melania Trump headed down to the nation's capital on Wednesday, where she joined her husband in welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara to the White House.

It marked the first official appearance Melania has made since her husband was sworn into office almost one month ago on January 20, with the 46-year-old mother choosing to stay in New York City with her son Barron rather than join President Trump in the White House. 

The First Lady stood alongside her husband outside the South Portico of the White House to welcome the Netanyahus at noon.

Melania greeted her guests with a kiss and the group exchanged pleasantries while posing for some photos before going inside for the President and Prime Minister's news conference.

Once inside, Melania sat next to Ivanka, who attended the early afternoon event with her husband, Jared Kushner. 

The First Lady and her stepdaughter did not appear to socialize much at the event and barely spoke to one another, though Ivanka did arrive for the news conference just before it got underway.

Melania's smiling appearance at the White House on Wednesday came on the same day a story emerged claiming she was secretly 'miserable' in her new role as First Lady and had spent the past month rarely leaving her apartment in Trump Tower.

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Back in town: First Lady Melania Trump joined her husband (above) at the White House on Wednesday to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara

Stunning: She wore a picture perfect white skirt suit for the occasion, and enthusiastically greeted both of her guests with kisses on the cheek

Long time gone: It marked Melania's first official appearance at the White House since her husband's inauguration

First tour: The First lady escorted Sara around the White House on Wednesday afternoon

Smiling beauty: Melania seemed happy and excited to be in the White House with her husband

Over in the oval: After the conference, the President and First Lady spent time in the Oval Office with the Netanyahus

US Weekly spoke with multiple sources close to Melania who shared details about her life over the past month, and how she is reacting to the big changes in her world. 

'This life wasn’t her dream. It was Donald’s,' said her friend, stylist Phillip Bloch.

'Truthfully, it's a lot to cope with.'

And another source claims that she does not want to leave her apartment for anything or anyone, choosing to have the Secret Service take Barron to school and pick him up at the end of the day.

That however could have more to do with the outcry it would cause in New York City if she did decide to make that trip, as it would require a full motorcade and cause road closures all the way from Trump Tower in midtown to Barron's school across town. 

Multiple sources also shoot down claims that she is unhappy and says she is 'embracing the role and responsibilities of first lady.' 

Melania looked picture perfect, wearing an impeccably tailored white cashmere pencil skirt and jacket designed by Karl Lagerfeld, for her appearance on Wednesday.

The outfit was a couture creation from the creative director of both Chanel and Fendi.

She paired the skirt and jacket with a pair of nude heels for the occasion, 

Melania wore her recently-lightened hair in beachy waves and no jewelry other than the 25-carat diamond ring her husband gave her on their 10th wedding anniversary.

It was another stylish choice for the First Lady, who received raves during inauguration weekend for the pale blue Ralph Lauren number she wore to her husband's swearing-in ceremony.

She then wore a dress for the inaugural balls that night which she helped design with former Carolina Herrera employee Herve Pierre.

Many had expected her to wear Karl Lagerfeld for that event after rumors began to emerge that he had been meeting with Melania in the weeks before the ceremony. 

That did not end up being the case in the end, but it is clear now that the iconic designer was working with the the First Lady.

This could seem to suggest that her skirt and jacket ensemble on Wednesday may have been one of the choices she was considering for her husband's swearing-in ceremony.  

Warm welcome: Melania gives Prime Minister Netanyahu a kiss on the cheek Wednesday afternoon (above)

Good guide: Melania was seen leading Sara to her seat just before the news conference on Wednesday 

Business buddies: Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner attended the early afternoon press conference as well, entering while Melania was in conversation (above) 

Keeping quiet: Melania and Ivanka said few words to one another during the news conference on Wednesday

Greeting: Ivanka also took some time to greet Prime Minister Natanyahu's wife Sara (above)

Melania will now be spending the rest of the afternoon showing Sara around while their husbands have closed-door meetings.

Their first stop was to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, the institution President Trump said he would be visiting back on Martin Luther King Day.

President Trump later cancelled his planned visit citing scheduling issues. It was the same week that he very publicly criticized and attacked civil rights leader John Lewis, who was a close friend of King.

After their afternoon at the museum, Melania and Sara will attend a private dinner later tonight that the Trumps are throwing for the Netanyahus.

The co-hosts this evening will be Florida Senator Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette. 

Melania's appearance on Wednesday came the day after she announced that White House tours would resume next month.

Tours are typically suspended for a few weeks when a new administration takes office.

The First Lady announced the news in a statement that read: 'I am excited to reopen the White House to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each year.

'The White House is a remarkable and historic site and we are excited to share its beauty and history. I am committed to the restoration and preservation of our nation's most recognizable landmark.'

Time to learn: The First Lady and the prime Minister's wife made their first trip if the afternoon to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (pair above with museum director Lonnie Bunch)

Group outing: The pair drew stares as the joined the crowds and engaged in one of the museum's interactive exhibits (above)

Guided tour: The women were escorted through the museum by the director diuring their trip on Wednesday (above)

Keeping dry: The women are seen through a giant circular skylight and fountain of raining water at the museum

Parting ways: Melania and Sara head off in their separatre directions after their afternoon together to prepare for dinner (White House Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd on right)

And in what may be the only move this administration has made that would excite the Obamas, Melania also revealed on Tuesday her plans to keep the garden Michelle planted in 2009 on the South Lawn of the White House.

'As a mother and as the first lady of this country, Mrs. Trump is committed to the preservation and continuation of the White House gardens, specifically First Lady's Kitchen Garden and the Rose Garden,' Melania's senior adviser Stephanie Winston Wolkoff said in a statement.

Michelle had said last year that she hoped that future first ladies would keep the garden, and raised $2.5million in private donations to help maintain her creation.

The planting of the garden in 2009 kicked off Michelle's 'Let's Start' initiative, which she spent eight years focused on while her husband was in the White House. 

Melania has yet to reveal what her initiative is, but has stated in the past that she would like to do something with bullying.

She could be waiting to decide on that until she makes the move to Washington DC, something that may be happening this June when her son Barron has finished school.

Melania did not want to remove her son in the middle of the year and transplant him to Washington DC. 

 Feeling good: Melania smiles as she makes her way from the East Room to the Oval Office

Smiles all around: Melania smiles as Ivanka goes up to greet Sara ahead of the news conference 

Good discussion: President Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Netanyahu during the joint press conference in the East Room

In for a kiss: Jared Kushner gave Sara a kiss on the cheek at the new conference 

 And another: Ivanka also gave Sara a kiss at the news conference in Friday

And while Melania has not been seen at the White House much does not mean she has not been fulfilling her hostess duties. 

She traveled to Palm Beach over the weekend where she and President Trump entertained Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife. 

The First Lady and Akie Abe spent most of their time at Mar-a-Lago, but did venture off the resort on a few occasions, taking a trip on Saturday to nearby Delray beach.

There the women looked around the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens while their husbands played golf on Saturday.

Melania later posted a tweet about the outing, writing: 'Thank you @morikamimuseum for the inspirational presentation of your sacred gardens & life & culture in Japan.'

She also included a photo of herself and Akie looking at one of the six gardens at the museum. 

Melania is currently operating with a staff of just two in the Office of the First Lady - Chief of Staff Lindsay Reynolds and White House Social Secretary Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd.

She also has Winston Wolkoff, who serves as her senior advisor.