Guests arrive at State Dinner wearing their best outfits

A glittering crowd of VIPs have walked the red carpet for the First Lady’s highly anticipated State Dinner, but all eyes were on one arrival.

A glittering crowd of American and Australian luminaries gathered under the stars in the White House Rose Garden to celebrate the special alliance between Australia and America at a State Dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.

The president and first lady Melania Trump greeted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jenny, with handshakes and kisses on the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the mansion Friday evening local time.

RELATED: Donald Trump welcomes ScoMo to White House

The worlds of politics, media and even sports collided as a stream of administration members from both countries, aides, lawmakers and even golfer Greg Norman headed outside for the open-air dinner.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny Morrison as they arrive for a State Dinner. Picture: Alex Brandon

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny Morrison. Picture: Evan Vucci

It is only the second such dinner US President Donald Trump has hosted for a foreign leader during his three years in office.

Mr Morrison was dressed in black-tie while his wife wore an elegant Carla Zampatti sequin gown in navy to the dinner. Earlier in the day she wore a black dress by sustainable Australian fashion label Ginger & Smart.

The French Navy Illicit Dress, which retails for $599, has a softly flared sleeve with

subtle splits on the neckline, mid length fluid hemline and a tie neck back.

The 173 guests who will join them to dine al fresco in the historic Rose Garden also include mining magnates Gina Rinehart and Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and media baron Kerry Stokes.

Australian golf legend Greg Norman and his wife Kirsten Kutner were among the first to walk the red carpet hand-in-hand, wearing matching attire — Norman a sleep black suit and Kutner a dark velvet-coloured full-length gown, with a diamante clutch.

Golfer Greg Norman, right, and wife Kirsten Kutner arrive for a State Dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and President Donald Trump at the White House. Picture: Patrick Semansky

Norman shared a photo of his invite to his Instagram page, saying what an honour it was to be invited, while boasting about his country’s strong bond with the US.

“Extremely proud of the close relationship of #USA Govt and #australia Govt. May the unbreakable bond of our nations forever remain. @ausintheus,” he wrote alongside the image.

Lachlan Murdoch, eldest son of Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch also arrived, together with his partner, Sarah Murdoch.

Lachlan Murdoch, eldest son of Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch at the dinner, together with his partner, Sarah Murdoch. Picture: Instagram/ ShanePaish

Sarah’s classy look is complete with bronzed makeup and an updo. Picture: Instagram/ ShanePaish

Sarah wore an elegant full-length black gown by Australian designer Alex Perry.

She opted for simple yet subtly bronzed makeup with her hair sleeked back in an updo.

A photo of Sarah’s stunning look was posted by makeup artist Shane Paish which has received plenty of rave reviews from fans on her “stunning” and “chic” style.

Gina Rinehart arrives solo - shortly before her fellow former Ten director Lachlan Murdoch. pic.twitter.com/uvcX5pgPTI

— Stephen Mayne (@MayneReport) September 20, 2019

Just before the dinner, The First Lady welcomed Australian Prime Minister Scot Morrison and his wife Jennifer Morrison wearing a $1180 dress.

Melania Trump, 49, could be seen wearing a pale blue fitted dress by Australian designer Scanlan Theodore. The knitted crepe dress clung to Melania’s figure and the cocoon sleeves added a nice touch. The dress fell just below her knees, showing off her toned legs.

She then slipped into a another, full-length, long-sleeve soft blue gown for the Australian-themed dinner.

I want to express my gratitude to America’s magnificent @FLOTUS for tonight’s exquisite evening where we celebrated more than a century of loyal and devoted friendship between🇺🇸🇦🇺Both of our nations are blessed by uncommon courage, unfailing commitment, and unyielding character! pic.twitter.com/i61cHCZYlD

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 21, 2019

But it wasn’t just her fashion choices that made it Melania’s night. Her husband and even Scott Morrison took the time to praise the First Lady.

“I want to express my gratitude to America’s magnificent @FLOTUS for tonight’s exquisite evening where we celebrated more than a century of loyal and devoted friendship between (US and AUS. Both of our nations are blessed by uncommon courage, unfailing commitment, and unyielding character!” Mr Trump posted to his Twitter page on Sunday afternoon (AEST).

Melania, who is responsible for the state dinner, has used Australia’s national colours to set the stage for the state dinner.

It’s something traditionally designed by the First Lady.

She has turned the famous open-air Rose Garden green and gold with her office saying she “carefully selected” the decor for the first state dinner for an Australian prime minister since 2006.

Curtis Stone arrives with wife Lindsay. pic.twitter.com/DcldRQXNeT

— Stephen Mayne (@MayneReport) September 20, 2019

Dover sole on menu for 8p State Dinner but what’s really on table today:

IRAN.

Trump greets Australia’s PM 9a; press conference 11:45a.

Not on public sched: NSC mtg this afternoon to go over courses of action for retaliation for Iranian attacks on Saudi oil fields, I’m told. pic.twitter.com/pxirHral5o

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 20, 2019

Guests are sitting at a mix of round and rectangular tables draped in alternating yellow and green tablecloths in tribute to Australia’s national colours and dine on sunchoke ravioli, Dover sole and apple tart a la mode. Temporary flooring was laidover the grass.

Dinner centrepieces feature more than 2,500 yellow California roses and Australia’s national flower, the golden wattle, while the garden itself will be decorated with white and yellow roses.

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife, Jennifer Morrison, stand for the National Anthems during an arrival ceremony. Picture: SAUL LOEB / AFP

Here they all are as ScoMo and Jennifer arrive just before entering the White House for the Australian-themed State Dinner. Picture: AP Photo/Alex Brandon.

Most of these business leaders attending the state dinner at the White House will also attend the business roundtable the following night, The Australian reported, but they will be joined by senior US business leaders. These include the founder and chairman of Fedex Fred Smith and the co-CEO of the Carlyle Group Glenn Youngkin.

Australia State Dinner guests:
—Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart; billionaires Kerry Stokes and Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest
—Trump aides Robert O’Brien, Steph Grisham, Max Miller, Derek Lyons, Emma Doyle
—Wilbur Ross
—Marc Short
—VP himself entered past cameras at booksellers pic.twitter.com/JoJhXzNTrj

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) September 20, 2019

Many of these business leaders are expected to also attend a garden party early Sunday (AEST) hosted by Australia’s ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey at his “White Oaks’’ Washington residence.