The dollar was on the defensive at the start of a pivotal week on Monday as Donald Trump returns to the White House, with his inauguration speech later in the day the primary focus for investors hoping to decipher his immediate policies.

Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday night (January 21, Tuesday morning, Singapore time) - more than two months after his surprising victory in the November 5 election,

While Inauguration Day marks the transfer of power from one president to another, it also marks another major change at the White House: one first family moving out and another moving in. This final piece of the transition happens behind closed doors,

The dollar was on the defensive at the start of a pivotal week on Monday as Donald Trump returns to the White House, with his inauguration speech later in the day the primary focus for investors hoping to decipher his immediate policies.

On Inauguration Day, a finely-tuned process transforms the White House to welcome a new president and their family. The day begins with the outgoing president participating in a farewell ceremony.

After the oath-taking, inaugural address, luncheon and traditional parade, the new president gets to go into the White House to find the family's clothes, furniture and other personal belongings in place and the kitchen stocked with favorite foods.