Hundreds have seized on the opportunity to chastise Kellyanne Conway after she was pictured casually kneeling on an Oval Office sofa.

Donald Trump’s adviser opted for the position while taking pictures on her smartphone of her the President surrounded by representatives from historically black colleges and universities.

In some images, her high heels can be seen digging into the cream furniture.

The pictures have been widely shared on social media, prompting an array of largely negative reactions.

One wrote on Twitter: “Would you let your daughter sit like that? Show some class every chance you get.”

Another wrote: “Kellyanne Conway is the classiest 60-year-old – my God. Raised by wolves??”

In a reference to a high-profile mix-up at Sunday night's Oscars, Atlanta journalist Matt Ford said: "The Kellyanne Conway couch photo is just a distraction from Warren Beatty setting up Faye Dunaway to take the fall last night."

Others have been quick to point out, since Monday's photo, how Barack Obama’s often propped his heels up on the office desk and table.

“Ronald Reagan never entered the Oval Office without a jacket. Obama poses for crotch shots with foot on desk,” tweeted broadcaster Ezra Levant.