White House Correspondents Dinner 2019: See who was on the red carpet - in pictures

President Donald Trump boycotted the event for the third year running

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It's meant to be the annual Washington love-in, a dinner where White House journalists and the president mingle in a hotel ballroom. But this Saturday, President Donald Trump stood up his dates.

Members of the White House Correspondents' Association, or WHCA, were decked out in bow ties and gowns at the bash, held at the downtown Washington Hilton.

Trump, however, was 1,100 kilometers away in Wisconsin for a rally with his supporters.

Instead, notable names such as former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, President of CBS News Susan Zirinsky and American singer Amanda Palmer were present on the red carpet.

Scroll through the gallery above to see who was at the White House Correspondents Dinner 2019.

Although there's nothing obligatory about attending WHCA dinners, presidents have usually done so at some point during their time in office since the inaugural version in 1921.

Trump, however, has boycotted what he calls the "boring" and "negative" party for three years in a row - his entire presidency so far.