A veteran made a flirtatious remark about the First Lady when the pair met at a D Day 75th anniversary event today.

Thomas Cuthbert, 93, from Elmstead Market, Essex, was charmed by Melania Trump, 49, when they were introduced at a reception in Portsmouth this afternoon.

Speaking to the President about his wife, Mr Cuthbert said: 'She's nice, isn't she?,' adding: 'If it wasn't for you, and if only I was 20 years younger.'

The comment prompted a chuckle from the President, 72, who replied: 'You could handle it, there's no question about it,' while shaking Mr Cuthbert's hand.

Mr Cuthbert, who was awarded the Legion D'Honneur in 2017 for his role in the landings, was on fine form at the reception. He was seen sharing a joke with the Queen and chatting to Prince Charles about his time in the Navy.

D Day veteran Thomas Cuthbert, 93, from Elmstead Market, Essex, was charmed by Melania Trump, 49, when they were introduced at a reception in Portsmouth this afternoon. Speaking to the President, Mr Cuthbert gestured to Mrs Trump and said: 'She's nice, isn't she?'

Mr Cuthbert said to the President: 'If it wasn't for you, and if only I was 20 years younger.' The comment prompted a chuckle from Trump, who replied: 'You could handle it, there's no question about it'. Pictured, the Trumps meeting Mr Cuthbert at the reception today

But he appeared particularly taken by Mrs Trump. After his meeting with the President and First Lady, Mr Cuthbert said Mr Trump 'came across very well.'

He added: 'He surprised me, when you see someone on the TV but he seemed different, he seemed one of the boys. His wife was very pleasant as well.'

The President told the veteran it was an 'honour' to meet him, adding: 'Thank you very much.'

A brief conversation with the Queen ended with the monarch bursting into laughter.

Mr Cuthbert told Her Majesty that he had served in the Navy and was stationed on a landing barge oiler charged with refueling other ships.

After Mr Cuthbert continued his explanation, the Queen quipped: 'I thought you were going to tell me you had a bomb!, prompting the veteran and those around them to chuckle.

Mr Cuthbert, right, made a remark about the First Lady to the President while she was standing next to him. The men spoke at a reception following the commemorations today

In response the President replied: 'You could handle it, there's no question about it,' prompting a laugh from Mr Cuthbert, as seen above

Speaking afterwards Mr Cuthbert said President Trump 'came across very well'. Pictured, the men shake hands during their meeting in Portsmouth today

Meanwhile Prince Charles, 70, spoke to the veteran about the hardship of suffering from seasickness during the war.

Referring to a segment of the commemorations that highlighted the conditions the men had to endure on the vessels heading to Normandy, the prince told Mr Cuthbert: 'As they were saying the smell of the fuel and people being sick must have been terrible.

'I remember being in the navy and always being sick, and there was always someone who was never sick and would always appear with a mug of steaming soup.'

Mr Cuthbert sailed to France from Poole around the time of the D-Day landings in 1944.

Mr Cuthbert, who was awarded the Legion D'Honneur in 2017 for his role in the D Day landings, was on fine form at the reception and shared a joke with the Queen (pictured)

In 2017 he received the Legion D'Honneur - France's highest military honour - after the French government announced the distinction would be handed to troops who landed on the beaches, and those who supported in the Navy and RAF.

For his part, Mr Cuthbert told how his ship was first anchored offshore on Utah and Omaha beaches, before making its way onto Gold, Juno and Sword.

Speaking to the Halstead Gazette in 2017, Mr Cuthbert described the perilous position he had been in.

'We were often under heavy fire and it was a hazardous mission as we resembled a floating bomb,' he said.

After posing for this farewell photo with the Queen at today's D-Day 75 commemoration in Portsmouth, Donald Trump thanked her for inviting him to Britain for a state visit

He added: 'I was, and still am, proud to be a part of the D-Day landings and the process to liberate France.'

After D Day Mr Cuthbert was anchored off Cherbourg Harbour, where he witnessed a landing barge from his flotilla being blown up.

He was also sent to the scene of the 1943 Bethnal Green Tube disaster, where more than 170 people were killed while fleeing an air raid.

After leaving the Armed Forces Mr Cuthbert held a string of jobs before joining BT.

The President and First Lady joined world leaders including the Prime Minister for commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings today