Where is Melania Trump and what her surprise White House plans are if Donald wins

Melania Trump was at the forefront of her husband Donald Trump's previous campaigns, but not this one, as some sources say she's not planning to return to the White House full time

Melania Trump has been noticeably absent from her husband Donald's campaign with rumours swirling of whether she will return to the White House if he becomes President.

The former First Lady was at the forefront of Trump's two previous campaigns and throughout his time in office but has kept a low profile as her husband seeks re-election to beat Kamala Harris in the polls later today. At the end of October, her entrance to a Madison Square Garden rally, backed by Guns N Roses' "Paradise City", drew roaring applause from the crowd as Elon Musk introduced her as "first lady of the US."

The Sunday rally was the first appearance she'd made since the Republican National Convention last summer. One reason being suggested is that she has been mourning the death of her mother Amalija Knavs since January. This year, she's also been preparing her 18-year-old son Barron Trump to attend New York University.

As polling day kicks off, many have wondered if Melania is planning to return to the White House full-time. Sources close to the former First Lady told PEOPLE it's "not likely" she will relocate back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, at least not all the time.

"She will have her private living apartment there, and she has her home in New York, and her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach," the source says. "She will spend time in all of these places."

It's understood that Melania is hoping to spend more time in New York as Barron, 18, begins his freshman year at New York University. The source explained: “As much as Melania loves Mar-a-Lago and her life in Palm Beach, she will spend more time in New York with her son, who is more important to her than anything else.

“If her husband is elected, she will attend the White House functions that she is asked to attend just as she always has. Melania knows what to do, yet has a mind of her own.” The source added: “That has not and will not change if former president Trump wins the election.”

Another source was more vehement in denying that Melania planned to return to the home she lived in from 2017 to 2021. They inferred that she may be unhappy with the current arrangement, saying "this is not what she signed up for".

But contrary to the sources, new evidence suggests that she's prematurely planning her return to the White House. In images of her and her only son Baron leaving their New York City apartment on Sunday, among a mountain of Louis Vuitton luggage, the presidential seal could be seen clearly stamped on six of her clothing bags, according to the Daily Mail.

Pointing it out on Twitter, one user wrote: “Well would you look at that! Why does Melania garment bags have the presidential seal on it??” “Last normal day patriots. Soak it up."