Melania Trump names social secretary

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Melania Trump's new social secretary married into the Mellons - and she's planned events for Republicans AND Hillary Clinton

The White House announced first lady Melania Trump's second hire tonight - that of Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd for White House social secretary
Lloyd, who goes by the name 'Rickie,' has spent more than 20 years planning events in and around Washington, including at the State Department
The White House touted her bipartisan party planning record, including doing work for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
The new social secretary is married to William Lloyd, the grandson of the late 'Bunny' Mellon, a confidante of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy

By Nikki Schwab, U.s. Political Reporter For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:18 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 22:50 EST, 8 February 2017

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Signaling that she's about to become more involved in her role as first lady, Melania Trump appointed a White House social secretary today.

Trump named Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd – nicknamed 'Rickie' – to the post, a longtime D.C. area party planner, who married into one of the country's wealthiest and well-known families.

Lloyd's husband William is the grandson of the late Listerine heiress 'Bunny' Mellon, who was a confidante of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and helped plan out the White House Rose Garden.

Rickie Lloyd has worked alongside Democrats too, even planning events for then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Donald Trump's political rival.

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First lady Melania Trump (right) announced her second hire today, naming Anna Cristina Niceta Lloyd to the post of White House social secretary

'Rickie bring with her over twenty-two years of solid diplomatic, political and social entertaining experience,' the first lady said in a statement.

Rickie Lloyd was named the new White House social secretary

'I am looking forward to sharing my ideas and traditions of entertaining and social hospitality to America's house, my new home as well,' said the first lady, who hasn't been seen in Washington since Inauguration Day, though materialized at Mar-a-Lago for a black-tie gala and a Super Bowl party last weekend.

'That, along with Rickie's vast experience, I am even more excited,' Melania Trump said.

Melania Trump played a minimal role in her husband's campaign, standing at his side only during crucial moments like the Iowa caucuses, at debates and on election night at the campaign's party in New York City.

So far she plans to stay living at Trump Tower, alongside her 10-year-old son Barron, at least until the president's youngest son finishes school for the year.

The new White House social secretary is married to the grandson of Rachel 'Bunny' Mellon (right) a confidante of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy (left)

Until now, Melania Trump had only made one official hire, a chief of staff, Lindsay Reynolds, an alumna of George W. Bush's administration.

Rickie Lloyd is married to Thomas Lloyd (pictured) the grandson of 'Bunny' Mellon

In the announcement of Lloyd, the White House touted that her 'gracious entertaining style perfectly aligns with that of the First Lady,' before noting that she's created events for politicians on both sides of the political aisle.

Lloyd was involved in preparations for the last five inaugurals, working with the bipartisan Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which organizes all the festivities taking place on Capitol Hill.

While at the Arlington, Virginia-based catering company Design Cuisine she assisted the State Department's Office of Protocol in crafting events for Democratic Secretaries of State John Kerry, Clinton and Madeleine Albright and Republicans Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell.

As social secretary Lloyd will be charged with putting together large-scale events like State Dinners, the White House Christmas parties and the annual Easter Egg Roll.

Washingtonians DailyMail.com talked to about the pick reacted positively to it.

'She will no doubt continue the tradition of showing Americans and international leaders that the White House is the world's finest home of and for the people,' Roger Whyte, a D.C. event planner, told DailyMail.com.

Describing her taste as 'impeccable' and 'sophisticated,' Whyte, of RJ Whyte Event Production, said Lloyd was a 'perfect fit for the classic and beautiful style of the home for which she will serve.'