Donald Trump had to be rescued from a tricky moment by his wife, Melania, when he failed to recognise a statue at Buckingham Palace that he had given the Queen last summer.

The US president was shown a pewter horse that he gave as a gift when they met in July last year, and was asked whether he recognised it. He replied “no”.

Melania came to his rescue, saying: “I think we gave that to the Queen.”

He had given the thoroughbred statue in polished pewter on his visit to Windsor.

It happened as the Queen was showing the president and First Lady around an exhibition at the palace picture gallery of American artefacts.

Among the items she showed them were a display of golfing memorabilia and a draft copy of a telegram from George VI to US General Dwight Eisenhower after the D-Day invasion of France.

Earlier, Mr Trump was pictured giving the Queen an unusual handshake as they met at the start of his state visit.

Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Show all 15 1 /15 Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Pre-flight Melania wears a calf-skimming shirt dress by Gucci before departing the White House in Washington DC. AFP/Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Pre-flight The cream, orange and green gown was covered in prints depicting London landmarks including the Tower of London and Big Ben. Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 Melania arrived at London's Stansted airport wearing a navy-blue skirt suit paired with a printed pussy-bow blouse by British heritage brand Burberry. REUTERS Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 Melania accessorised her post-flight look with a pair of oversized sunglasses. EPA Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 Melania arrived at Buckingham Palace later that day to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Here she is pictured standing alongside HRH and her husband during a welcome ceremony. She wore a fitted white dress by Italian label Dolce and Gabbana. AFP/Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 Both the Duchess and Melania struggled to hold onto their hats during the ceremony. Melania's opted for a large wide-brimmed hat by American fashion designer, Hervé Pierre. The Duchess wore a cream by Irish milliner Philip Treacy. REUTERS Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 At the Palace, the Trumps also met with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who was wearing a light-coloured ensemble by Anna Valentine. REUTERS Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 Melania's hat matched the navy trim of her dress. REUTERS Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 1 For the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace that evening, Melania made a sartorial statement in custom Dior haute couture. The ivory-coloured sleeveless gown boasted a flame-shaped neckline. The first lady accessorised the look with matching ivory gloves and diamond earrings. REUTERS Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 2 For the presidential meeting between Theresa May and her husband Philip May, Melania wore a belted beige trench dress by CELINE. AFP/Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 2 Melania also wore stiletto black heels and carried a crocodile Birkin bag by Hermès. AFP/Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 2 On Tuesday evening, the US president and first lady hosted a dinner at Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador. Melania wore a £5,000 floor-length red Givenchy gown for the occasion, complete with a cape design. PA Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 2 The bold Givenchy dress featured a red sequinned v-shaped neckline. Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 3 On the third day of the UK state visit, Melania and Donald Trump attended a ceremony in Portsmouth in honour of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The first lady of the US dressed in an all-white ensemble for the occasion, wearing an ivory coat by New York-based brand The Row and accessorising with a wide-brim fascinator by Philip Treacy. AFP/Getty Images Every outfit Melania Trump has worn for the UK state visit Day 3 The US first lady completed her look with a pair of nude Dior heels. REUTERS

The president appeared to grasp only the monarch’s fingers in his fist as he was welcomed to the Palace.