Michelle Obama explains awkward gift moment with Melania Trump

Former US first lady Michelle Obama has opened up for the first time about that awkward moment when Melania Trump turned up to a White House photo op with an unexpected gift.

Mrs Obama's uncomfortable reaction to the present was a gift to GIF makers on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration last January.

Appearing on Ellen DeGeneres's talk show for her first interview since leaving the White House, Barack Obama's wife revealed what went through her mind that day.

"There's all this protocol. I mean, this is like a state visit so they tell you, 'You're going to do this, they're going to stand here'," she said.

"Never before do you get this gift so I'm like, 'OK, what am I supposed to do with this gift?'

"And everyone cleared out and no one would come and take the box. And I'm thinking do we take the picture with it?"

Thankfully, Mr Obama stepped in to relieve the awkwardness.

"My husband saved the day," Mrs Obama said.

"See, he grabbed the box and took it back inside. But everybody cleared out. No staff, no one. I was like what do you do with the box?"

Mrs Obama, 54, also revealed for the first time what was inside the exquisitely wrapped Tiffany & Co box: "It was a lovely frame."

As footage of the awkward exchange played behind on the big screen behind them, DeGeneres poked fun at the fact that Mr Trump raced out of the car to greet the Obamas without his wife.

"First of all, he just walks up the steps without his wife, just leaves his wife behind," DeGeneres said to laughter from the audience.

All eyes have been on Mrs Trump in recent weeks after allegations surfaced that Mr Trump cheated on her with a porn star, Stormy Daniels, in 2006.

Mrs Trump raised eyebrows when she pulled out of a scheduled trip to a business leaders conference in Switzerland last week, soon after a report that Mr Trump's lawyer had paid Ms Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about the alleged affair.

The first lady's spokeswoman, Stephanie Graham, said the change of plans was due to "scheduling and logistical issues" and dismissed gossip about marital troubles between the Trumps as "flat-out false reporting".