First lady Melania Trump absolutely shined Thursday when she stepped out in a red-and-white coat and white dress during a Christmas visit to the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
![U.S. first lady Melania Trump reaches out to Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey while reading a children's Christmas story during her visit Children's National Health System in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_9.jpg)
U.S. first lady Melania Trump reaches out to Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey while reading a children’s Christmas story during her visit Children’s National Health System in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
![US First Lady Melania Trump reads the book "Oliver the Ornament" as she visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_7.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump reads the book “Oliver the Ornament” as she visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
The first lady looked as gorgeous as ever in the long-sleeve button-up coat that she paired with a scoop neck dress that went down to her knees. (RELATED: Don’t Listen To The Haters: I Spent Last Night At The White House And Melania’s Christmas Decorations Are Perfect)
![US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_3.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
![US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_5.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
She completed her latest festive look with loose hair and red-and-white striped high heels.
![US First Lady Melania Trump reads the book "Oliver the Ornament" as she visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_8.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump reads the book “Oliver the Ornament” as she visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
![US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_6.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
During the visit Melania met the families of kids who had graduated from the neonatal intensive care program, before taking a tour of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), per a White House pool report. Later she was greeted by a standing ovation before she sat down and read the Christmas story “Oliver the Ornament” to children who are current patients at the hospital.
![US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_2018_Xmas_4.jpg)
US First Lady Melania Trump visits children at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC, on December 13, 2018. (Photo credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)
“It’s nice to be here and I have a book here to read to you: ‘Oliver the Ornament,'” Melania told the children. “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year.”
Last year, she also made a trip to the hospital and looked terrific in a cream-colored coat that she paired with a matching top and skirt.
![Melania Trump on December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)](https://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melania_Trump_Last_XMas.jpg)
Melania Trump on December 7, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
The tradition of first ladies visiting the children’s hospital goes back to Bess Truman over 60 years ago.