The White House has unveiled the first official portrait of First Lady Melania Trump.

The 46-year-old former professional model is seen striking an assertive pose in the photograph released today. Sporting a black ensemble with her arms crossed, Trump looks directly into the camera with a slight smile.

Information on the photographer or when the snapshot was taken has yet to be released.

In a statement, Mrs Trump said: “I am honored to serve in the role of First Lady, and look forward to working on behalf of the American people over the coming years."

Image: The White House

Obviously, social media users were quick to have their say on the photograph...

RT @ABC: White House releases the first official portrait of First Lady Melania Trump, taken at the White House. https://t.co/UvtSxv4sQs pic.twitter.com/MyizE0Sfui

— sam carb (@samcorb) April 3, 2017

This looks like it's from an ad for a Women In Business conference. She's the keynote speaker, a laser hair removal entrepreneur or somesuch https://t.co/psNEafAhSJ

— Valerie Loftus (@valerieloftus) April 3, 2017

Petition

Meanwhile, a petition calling for Mrs Trump to move to the White House is gaining traction in the US.

A Change.org petition has attracted over 230,000 signatures, becoming the site’s most signed campaign this week. The petition calls for her to either move to the White House or personally pay for her New York City security expenses.

“The U.S. taxpayer is paying an exorbitant amount of money to protect the First Lady in Trump Tower, located in New York City,” the petition reads. “As to help relieve the national debt, this expense yields no positive results for the nation and should be cut from being funded.”

Last month, the Secret Service requested $60 million in additional funding to protect the president and his family, according to a report in the Washington Post.

President Donald Trump said Melania and Barron planned to make the move “very soon,” adding, “right after [Barron] finishes school.”