IT wasn’t the sight of Michael Gove’s knees but his kilt which caught Melania Trump’s eye and which could now mean husband Donald will be sporting the Gordon tartan at some future White House event.

The Environment Secretary let slip that, amid all the Westminster speculation of a one-to-one with the US President, he had in fact spoken to him during Monday night’s state banquet in Buckingham Palace.

"I'm afraid I didn't see him today. I saw him on Monday evening. I had an opportunity to say a few words to the President on Monday night," explained Mr Gove.

He then told members of the Commons Scottish Affairs Committee: “These occasions require people to wear evening dress. I had the opportunity to wear the kilt. It was very interesting that my wife was talking to the First Lady, who was very taken with that.

“The President may well be placing an order for a dress Gordon tartan. That is another example of a successful trading relationship between the UK and America that we have brokered," quipped the Scot.

However, The Herald was able to point out to Mr Gove that during his Whitehall press conference on Tuesday - ie after the banquet - Mr Trump made clear he did not know the Secretary of State. The Scot replied with a shrug of his shoulders and a quizzical look.

In fact, Mr Gove met the President two years ago in New York when he interviewed him for The Times, just days before his inauguration.

One could be forgiven for thinking that the Environment Secretary had failed to leave a lasting impression on Mr Trump as a number of fellow contenders for the Tory crown have been eager to make clear they had spoken to the President.

Sources close to Jeremy Hunt said the Foreign Secretary had a one-to-one session with him on Tuesday evening while aides of Sajid Javid were keen to point out the Home Secretary had a "brush-by" with him at the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth today.

Meanwhile, it emerged Boris Johnson had a 20-minute phone-call with the President although they were unable to arrange a face-to-face meeting as the former Foreign Secretary was taking part in a Tory leadership hustings.

But, from all he has said, it is clear who Mr Trump would like to be Britain’s next Prime Minister: Nigel Farage.