Taj Mahal posers through the years – in pictures

The Trumps are not the first to succumb to the irresistible urge to pose in front of the 17th-century mausoleum – it has struck celebrities and world dignitaries alike for decades

Main image: The US president, Donald Trump, and first lady, Melania Trump, tour the historic Taj Mahal in Agra, India on 24 February 2020. Photograph: Alexander Drago/Reuters

  • Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner posing by the Taj Mahal on 24 February 2020
    Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner posing by the Taj Mahal

  • Donald Trump gestures next to first lady Melania Trump on 24 February 2020
    Donald Trump gestures next to first lady Melania Trump

  • The Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, and his partner, Lauren Sánchez, at the Taj Mahal in January 2020
    The Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, and his partner, Lauren Sánchez, at the Taj Mahal in January 2020

  • Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, giving a thumbs up on his visit in January 2020
    Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, giving a thumbs up

  • The Hollywood actor Will Smith posing crosslegged in October 2018
    The Hollywood actor Will Smith posing crosslegged in October 2018

  • The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte, in March 2018
    French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte 11 March 2018

  • The prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, poses with his wife, Sophie Gregoire, and their children in February 2018
    The prime minister of Canada,Justin Trudeau, his wife, Sophie Gregoire, and their children pose in February 2018

  • Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in a pose reminiscent of Diana’s in April 2016
    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge April 16, 2016

  • The Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio takes a selfie in the Taj Mahal gardens in October 2015
    The Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio takes a selfie in the Taj Mahal gardens in October 2015

  • Oprah Winfrey poses in January 2012
    Oprah Winfrey poses in January 2012

  • The Hollywood actor Tom Cruise poses in December 2011
    The Hollywood actor Tom Cruise poses in December 2011

  • Ben Kingsley, who played Mohandas Gandhi in the film Gandhi, with his wife, Daniela Lavender, in December 2009
    Ben Kingsley, who played Mohandas Gandhi in the film Gandhi, with his wife, Daniela Lavender, in December 2009

  • The then president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, pictured with his wife, Marisa, while seeking a trade deal with India in 2004
    The then president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, pictured with his wife, Marisa, while seeking a trade deal with India in 2004

  • The then president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, and his wife, Sehba, posing in July 2001
    The then president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, and his wife, Sehba, posing in July 2001

  • The then US president, Bill Clinton, with his daughter, Chelsea, at the Taj Mahal in March 2000
    The then US president, Bill Clinton, with his daughter, Chelsea, at the Taj Mahal in March 2000

  • The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, with his then wife, Lyudmila, in October 2000
    The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, with his then-wife, Lyudmila, in October 2000

  • The then Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, at the Taj Mahal in November 1996
    The then Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, at the Taj Mahal in November 1996

  • Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on a visit in March 1995
    Hillary and Chelsea Clinton on a visit in March 1995

  • Diana, Princess of Wales famously posing alone outside the Taj Mahal in February 1992, as she and Prince Charles officially stated they hoped to create ‘new memories’ on their trip
    Diana, Princess of Wales famously posing alone outside the Taj Mahal in February 1992, as she and Prince Charles officially stated they hoped to create ‘new memories’ on their trip

  • George Bush, then US vice-president, and his wife, Barbara Bush, visiting the Taj Mahal in May 1986
    George Bush, then US vice-president, and his wife, Barbara Bush, visiting the Taj Mahal in May 1986

  • Prince Charles posing outside the Taj Mahal in November 1980
    Prince Charles posing outside the Taj Mahal in November 1980

  • Jacques Chirac visiting the Taj Mahal with his wife, Bernadette, in January 1976
    Jacques Chirac visiting the Taj Mahal with his wife, Bernadette, in January 1976

  • Jacqueline Kennedy in front of the Taj Mahal in 1962
    Jacqueline Kennedy in front of the Taj Mahal in 1962

  • Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, outside the Taj Mahal during their six-week royal visit to India in January 1961
    Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, outside the Taj Mahal during their six-week royal visit to India in January 1961

  • Dwight D Eisenhower, then president of the US, visiting the Taj Mahal in 1959
    Dwight D Eisenhower, then president of the US, visiting the Taj Mahal in 1959

  • The Taj Mahal pictured in about 1914
    The Taj Mahal pictured in about 1914
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