Melania Trump beams on arrival in the USA after Africa tour without husband Donald Trump

Melania Trump, 48, touched down at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, USA, this morning after spending the week on a whirlwind tour of Africa.

The First Lady has hit the headlines for various reasons during her trip, with her outfits stealing the show before her admission she doesn’t always back her husband Donald Trump and his views caused surprise around the world.

But the mum-of-one seemed unmoved by any controversy this morning, smiling and waving to photographers as stepped off the plane.

Dressed casually, Melania wore an apple red knitted polo neck jumper which kept her warm against the autumn chill.

She teamed this with a pair of beige cropped trousers which featured a red stripe running down the leg.

In keeping with the casual style, Melania wore a pair of nude ballet pumps on her feet – a departure from her usual sky-high heels.

Her hair was worn loosely over her shoulders in a relaxed style, while she kept her makeup to a minimum.

Other than her huge engagement ring, no other jewellery could be seen.

Melania spent time in Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt during her first major foreign tour alone.

Yesterday, she hit the headlines for both her outfit and her words during a short photocall by the Giza pyramids in Egypt.

Standing for pictures, Melania oozed sophistication wearing a pair of beige wide leg trousers and a slightly darker-toned suit jacket which had been draped over her shoulders.

The former fashion model told journalists near by she wished onlookers would stop focusing on what she wears, the White House Correspondent for Reuters Jeff Mason reported.

Posting on Twitter in view of his 53,600 followers, he penned: “⁦@FLOTUS [Melania Trump]⁩ tells reporters in Egypt she wishes people would focus on what she does, not what she wears.”

And speaking of her husband Donald Trump, she said she doesn’t “always agree with what he tweets”.

She said: “I have my own voice and my opinions, and it’s very important for me that I express what I feel.”

Earlier in the day, Melania flashed acres of leg in a slashed-to-the-thigh dress.

The green shirtdress featured orange prints of animals – such as rhinoceros, zebras, and flamingos.

Her outfit was cut to a midi-length, and featured a buttoned design down the front – creating a slashed look as she walked.

Melania teamed her outfit with a large brown buckle belt at her waist.