Donald Trump's wife Melania and son Barron won't initially live in White House

While the role of First Lady has never been officially codified, it goes without saying that the Flotus tends to carry out her duties from the White House. However, Melania Trump appears to be the exception to the rule: she will be residing beneath the crystal chandeliers and Greek myth painted ceilings of Trump Tower on 5th Avenue alongside her 10-year-old son Barron Trump.

Clearing up rumours, Donald Trump said he will live in the White House after he is inaugurated in January but his wife and son will temporarily remain at their home in New York so Barron can finish school.

During a photo opportunity at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster in New Jersey, Mr Trump said they would join him in the White House “very soon - after he finishes school.”

While Mr Trump will be sworn into the presidency in January, the majority of American schools finish in the late spring or early summer. Barron attends private school in Manhattan where Ms Trump regularly drops him off.

A previous report by The New York Post said Ms Trump, who tended to steer clear of the public eye during the election, and Barren were likely to remain at Trump Tower so he could keep attending his school.

“Melania is extremely close to Barron, and they have become closer during the campaign,“ a source close to the transition team told the paper. ”The campaign has been difficult for Barron, and she is really hoping to keep disruption to a minimum.”

Earlier on Sunday, transition officials were asked about their plans. Jason Miller, a spokesman for Mr Trump, said: “No official statement has been released by the Trump family regarding transition timing, but like any parents, they are concerned about pulling their 10-year-old son out of school in the middle of the year.”

He urged that the same privacy and security concerns provided to other first families with regard to minors be applied to the Trump family.

Their decision to remain in Trump Tower will create a whole set of security challenges for the Secret Service and the New York Police Department as the building is located on the busy street of 5th Avenue and members of the public can walk in and out of the building as they wish. The building has of course been surrounded by protesters, members of the press and police since the election result.

With his wife and son remaining in New York, it seems probable that Mr Trump will wind up flying back to the New York to visit them from time to time. An earlier report said the President-elect was having discussions with advisers about how many days of the week he is required to spend in the White House although he has now of course said he will be moving into the White House after he is inaugurated.

During the presidential campaign, Mr Trump was known to fly back to Trump Tower late at night in order to wake up in his own bed.

A representative for Mr Trump did not immediately respond to request for comment.