Melania Trump's friends say she is like a "different person" as husband take over the White House after four years away.

The former reality TV star has become only the second person to win back the Oval Office. The first, Grover Cleveland, served as the 22nd and 24th US President.

confidante and personal photographer, Regine Mahaux, now reveals that the First Lady is "free to make a statement" during this second stint. Friends depict her as resolute and affable, prioritising her roles as a mother and wife above all else.

Speaking to , Regine lauds Melania for never voicing grievances, characterising her as "strong" and "firm" yet never "rude," and someone who doesn't dodge tough discussions.

She remarked: "She's always been hands on but she's more free nowadays to make a statement. She's a different person than she was eight years ago and has always been true to herself."

"This time it feels like a different energy with new people that the President has surrounded himself with. I always think she's like the Queen of England - she would never whine, I've never seen her complain and when things are wrong she says what she has to say [but] nothing mean, nothing rude."

Regine notes that Melania is content to support her husband's decisions, reports . The photographer paints Melania, aged 54, as an exemplary "very good number two," who gladly places her husband and son at the forefront.

Family values are something Regine says Melania holds dear to her. She also takes care of her father Viktor Knavs.

Viktor, who at 80 is two years the senior of the President, was recently seen at the inauguration. Melania has described them as "both very smart and very capable", despite Viktor's upbringing in Slovenia contrasting with Donald's childhood within the Trump empire.

Melania's stylist, Herve Pierre, reveals that the former model isn't one to shy away from getting her hands dirty. He shares that she prefers to pack her own suitcase to ensure she knows exactly what's in her luggage and even goes as far as making coffee for her staff.

According to Herve, Melania takes pleasure in preparing nutritious meals for her family in her downtime and is an "amazing mother". It's reported that she rises at 6am daily, ready to commence work by 6.30am, often working until after midnight.

On the day of the inauguration, Herve discloses that she covered around 16km and tackled approximately 39 flights of stairs - all while donning high heels. Regine notes that it was 2am the following day when Melania finally wrapped up, maintaining her perfection throughout.