Melania Trump's annual tradition of reading a holiday book to sick children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. looked a little bit different this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 50-year-old First Lady arrived at the hospital on Tuesday wearing a $2,400 Diane von Furstenberg trench coat in a festive shade of green, but she was met with a very different scene compared to previous years in which she was joined by a crowd of kids.
There were just two young patients present to watch her reading. Riley Whitney, six, and Sophia Martinez, eight, were seated on the floor in front of her while most of the other hospitalized children watched the reading in their rooms from a live stream.
Melania Trump removed her protective face mask to read a Christmas book to two sick kids at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday
Holiday visit: The First Lady had on a mask when she first walked into the atrium with Sophia Martinez, eight, and Riley Whitney, six
While Melania and the children were socially distanced, the hospital's policy states 'everyone must wear a mask at all times' to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the hospital
Both youngsters were seated six feet away from one another — and from Melania — however, the First Lady still faced backlash online for seemingly violating hospital policy by removing her face mask when she sat down to read.
Melania battled COVID-19 in October, but health experts recommend that people still wear masks even if they've had the virus as it's unclear how long antibodies offer protection.
Many of the young patients at the hospital are immunocompromised, and the policy states that 'everyone must wear a mask at all times while in any Children's National facility to prevent the spread of COVID-19.'
However, President Donald Trump's wife proved to be an exception to the rule on her fourth and final visit as First Lady, which was at least socially distanced.
Children's National Hospital spokeswoman Diana Troese referred to Washington, DC, health regulations and not the hospital's policy when CNN approached her for comment.
She told the outlet: 'Our number one priority at Children's National Hospital is the safety of our patients, families and employees. Under DC Health regulations, wearing a mask is not required when a person is giving a speech for broadcast or an audience, provided no one is within six feet of the speaker.
'In the case of today's visit which was broadcast to our 325 patients, while the First Lady did remove her mask while she read a story, she was more than 12 feet away from others in our large atrium. All other people in that space were wearing masks. The remainder of her visit, she wore a mask.'
Melania's pre-Christmas appearance continued a decades-long tradition in which every First Lady since Bess Truman has visited the hospital to meet with children who are too sick to leave for the holidays.
'Wonderful to be here,' she said on Tuesday. 'This is one of my favorite events during the holiday season.'
Precaution: Everyone else in the room wore face masks, including Riley and Sophia, who were seated in front of her
Expert opinion: Melania battled COVID-19 in October, but health experts recommend that people still wear masks even if they've had the virus as it's unclear how long antibodies last
Festive: Melania sat in front of a large Christmas tree in the atrium as she read to the kids
Personal choice: The First Lady read the children 'Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley & Joan and Abbey,' which is part of Todd Zimmermann's 'Oliver the Ornament' book series
The former model was dressed up in a green trench that she first donned in 2017 over a black long-sleeve sweater that matched her mask and heels.
Her highlighted brown hair was styled in loose waves around her shoulders, and her diamond bands sparkled as she flipped the pages of the book.
During each of her visits, Melania said she has seen that the spirit of Christmas is alive in each of the children, who are battling medical conditions.
The hospital tweaked the holiday program to safely accommodate the visit during the pandemic, which has claimed more than 300,000 lives in the United States.
'Mrs. Trump has our deep gratitude for joining every first lady since Bess Truman in bringing holiday cheer to children who are hospitalized and can't be home during this special time of the year,' said Dr. Kurt Newman, chief executive officer of the hospital.
Good thinking: Melania's reading was live-streamed in the hospital, so the other children could tune in from inside their rooms
Looking back: In past years, Melania was joined by a big crowd of patients and their families, staffers, singers, and dancers for the annual visit. She's pictured at the hospital in 2019
Duty: Melania's visit continued a tradition in which every First Lady since Bess Truman has visited the hospital for the holidays. Michelle Obama was joined by Ryan Seacrest in 2016
Looking back: Laura Bush brought her dog to the hospital when she read to the kids in 2001
As her own personal tradition, she has read the patients books from the 'Oliver the Ornament' series by Todd Zimmermann. This year's choice was 'Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley & Joan and Abbey.'
Melania sat in a chair in front of a towering Christmas tree adorning the hospital's atrium as she read the book about holiday ornaments that come to life to Riley and Sophia.
In past years, she was joined by a big crowd of patients and their families, hospital staffers, singers, and dancers.
Zimmerman said his Christmas adventure stories serve to teach children about kindness, especially in the face of bullying. During her time as First Lady, Melania has raised awareness about the harmful effects of bullying.
The writer said he was glad her visit would help take the children's minds 'off of what they're going through, if only for an hour.'
Making memories: This year marks Melania's fourth and final visit to the hospital as First Lady
Next up: After the reading, Melania put her mask back on to call out numbers in a Bingo game
Outraged: The First Lady's decision to remove her mask faced backlash on Twitter, where critics slammed her for putting sick children's lives at risk
When the reading ended, the hospital played Maria Carey's classic holiday song 'All I Want for Christmas is You' as she exited the room without a mask.
However, Melania put her mask back on to call out numbers in a Bingo game while Riley and Sophia were seated in front of her. The game is played twice a week to give the children a mental break from their medical conditions.
The First Lady's decision to remove her mask faced backlash on Twitter, where critics slammed her for putting sick children's lives at risk.
'Melania can't even demonstrate humility and empathy in a children's hospital? Her blatant arrogance is vile and so very Trumpian,' one person tweeted, while another commented: 'She should be charged if any get covid.'
'I cannot wait to be done with these morons,' someone else wrote. 'This is a children’s hospital, most of these kids have suppressed or compromised immune systems.'
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