President Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the Commander-in-Chief, Liberty and Starlight inaugural balls. Here are some of the highlights.

Melania Trump wore a custom look -- a strapless white gown with a geometric black trim and a small slit -- to the inaugural ball Monday night, completing her series of the day's outfits with a show-stopper from her own stylist. The first lady completed the look with a black choker and white heels.

Presidential inaugural balls have been a significant event of U.S. history since James Madison’s first in 1809. Over the years, these glamorous galas have evolved from simple dances to bedazzled soirées. They are a grand celebration of the nation’s peaceful transfer of power and American history.

Designers drop their resistance to the right as Usha Vance, Ivanka Trump and others set a new tone of American conservatism.

Photographers were there to cover it all for Reuters - and elsewhere too, including the steps of the White House, the top of the Washington Monument, and at anti-Trump protests. Below is a selection of some Reuters pictures taken during the events of the day and in the lead-up to it,

President Donald Trump will speak at the three inaugural balls: the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Ball and Starlight Ball.

He lingered on his electoral victory in his second inaugural speech on Monday, thanking specific groups for their votes — something that served this time to boost his argument that his electoral victory translates to a broad mandate.