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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Brendan Rascius

Ivanka Trump shares pictures from her brother’s wedding - just none of the happy couple

Ivanka Trump posted a batch of photos from her brother’s beachside wedding — but the bride and groom were nowhere to be seen.

Donald Trump Jr., 48, married Bettina Anderson, a 39-year-old model and Palm Beach socialite, on a private island in the Bahamas Saturday, in a ceremony attended by several members of the Trump family.

President Donald Trump, however, was notably absent. He cited “circumstances pertaining to Government” as the reason he missed out on his eldest son’s destination nuptials.

On Monday, Ivanka Trump, 44, shared nearly a dozen snapshots from the celebration on Instagram to her 8.6 million followers, showing herself relaxing in the tropics alongside her husband, half-sister, niece and sister-in-law. None of them featured her elder brother or Anderson.

“The best paddleboard partner,” she captioned one image, which depicted herself and Kai Trump, Donald Trump Jr.’s 19-year-old daughter, standing atop paddleboards in turquoise water. A second photo showed the pair posing together in dresses in front of lush greenery.

Ivanka Trump shared numerous photos from her brother's wedding — but none featured the happy couple. Pictured here, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson at Mar-a-Lago (AFP via Getty Images)
Ivanka Trump shared numerous photos from her brother's wedding — but none featured the happy couple. Pictured here, Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson at Mar-a-Lago (AFP via Getty Images)

Other images showed Ivanka Trump — who served as a senior adviser during her father’s first term — alongside her husband, Jared Kushner, now part of the White House’s special envoy for peace. Kushner traveled to Pakistan last month for in-person talks aimed at ending the Iran war, though the negotiations ultimately fell short.

Ivanka Trump also shared a selfie with her half-sister, Tiffany Trump, and Lara Trump, Eric Trump’s wife and a former Republican National Committee co-chair. The trio were photographed on a beach near a cabana lit with string lights.

Additional photos featured the president’s eldest daughter posing alone in front of a large model ship with a bottle of wine, while others highlighted the surrounding scenery.

Ivanka Trump pictured with Kai Trump, her 19-year-old niece, who will attend the University of Miami (@ivankatrump, Instagram)
Ivanka Trump pictured with Kai Trump, her 19-year-old niece, who will attend the University of Miami (@ivankatrump, Instagram)

One image appeared to show a napkin printed with a quote from Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Misérables” — the musical adaptation of which has long been favored by the billionaire president. The quote read: “To love or have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark folds of life.”

Anderson, meanwhile, has refrained from posting photos with her new husband. On Monday, she shared an image of white fabric embroidered with “Mrs. Trump.” That same day, her husband posted about an upcoming safari.

The couple became engaged in December following a proposal at Camp David.

Donald Trump Jr. was previously married to model Vanessa Trump; they wed at Mar-a-Lago in 2005, had five children and divorced in 2018. He later became engaged to former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, but the relationship ended in 2024 after he was photographed holding hands with Anderson, according to People. Guilfoyle was subsequently nominated as U.S. ambassador to Greece.

The president’s eldest daughter pictured alongside Tiffany Trump, her half sister, and Lara Trump, her sister-in-law (@ivankatrump, Instagram)
The president’s eldest daughter pictured alongside Tiffany Trump, her half sister, and Lara Trump, her sister-in-law (@ivankatrump, Instagram)
Ivanka Trump seen with her husband Jared Kusher, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for peace (@ivankatrump, Instagram)
Ivanka Trump seen with her husband Jared Kusher, who serves as Trump’s special envoy for peace (@ivankatrump, Instagram)

On May 21, the president told reporters he would try to attend his son’s wedding, though he said he remained occupied with other commitments.

“He’d like me to go,” Trump said while fielding questions in the Oval Office. “But it’s going to be just a small, little private affair, and I’m going to try and make it. I’m in the midst — I said, you know, this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things. That’s one I can’t win on.”

While Ivanka Trump served as an adviser to her father during his first term, she has maintained a greater distance from the White House in his second (@ivankatrump, Instagram)
While Ivanka Trump served as an adviser to her father during his first term, she has maintained a greater distance from the White House in his second (@ivankatrump, Instagram)

The following day, he confirmed that he would not attend.

“While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time. Congratulations to Don and Bettina!”

Trump Jr. and Anderson reportedly want to hold a third celebration at the White House, which would be attended by the president and First Lady Melania Trump.

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