Where was Melania Trump? First lady breaks with tradition while White House hosts Japanese prime minister and wife

Donald Trump's administration has already made it a habit to break with tradition. The president didn't wave upon boarding Air Force One for the first time. His team fired the 60-year voice of the Inauguration Day parade.

Now, Melania Trump's role as first lady is starting to chart its own course. It's already been reported that the former Slovenian model will not be living in the White House, at least while her and the president's 10-year-old son Barron finishes school.

But recently the first lady broke another tradition during a visit from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe.

Traditionally, it's the role of the first lady to accompany spouses from foreign nations when they visit the United States. But on Friday first lady Abe was flying solo as she toured Washington.

While Mrs. Trump was on hand to meet the Japanese first lady early in the morning, she was not present for the two pre-scheduled stops later in the day at the Japanese first lady visited Gallaudet University and the National Cherry Blossom Festival committee meeting at the Japanese embassy.

In true Trump fashion, the first lady's absence on Friday differs from previous administrations.

First lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Abe received cheers from students when they visited Great Falls, Virginia, elementary school together in 2015. The pair later met for a State Dinner to honor Abe's trip to Washington.

During George W. Bush's presidency in 2007, then first lady Laura Bush accompanied Mrs. Abe on solo tour of Mount Vernon.

However, on Friday only staffers joined the Japanese first later as she made her stops around Washington.

Shortly after reports emerged on the first lady's absence Mrs. Trump's office released a statement on her whereabouts.

"The First Lady was very much looking forward to welcoming Mrs. Abe to the White House upon her arrival in Washington; however, she was informed that Mrs. Abe had previous commitments during her stay in DC," the statement said.

"They will all be together for the weekend at Mar-a-Lago and have a full itinerary."

President Trump also tweeted early on Saturday about plans to host the first family of Japan. "Melania and I are hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Abe at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. They are a wonderful couple!"