King Charles hails 'true friend of the UK' as he continues working amid cancer treatment

King Charles, who is currently receiving treatment for a form of cancer, carried on with his head of state duties behind Palace walls on Tuesday.

He received incoming Algerian ambassador Nourredine Yazid and the ambassador for Mauritania, Samba Mamadou Ba.

Video footage showed the King smiling in the back of his Rolls-Royce as crowds cheered him passing by.

The monarch donned a light blue pattern tie and appeared in good spirits as he met with the diplomats.

The King also sent a written message following the death of former president of Tanzania Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who died last week at the age of 98, calling him a “true friend” of the UK.

King Charles said in his message to the President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Mwinyi.

“He was a true friend of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and a leading figure in Tanzania’s economic and political development. I can only offer you my deepest sympathy at his passing.”

He added: “The United Kingdom was delighted to invite President Mwinyi to London in 1988, when he was hosted by my mother, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for lunch at Buckingham Palace, and met Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“I understand that this was his first official visit to Europe and he was able to make great strides in cementing the United Kingdom-Tanzania relationship.

“My special thoughts and prayers are with former President Mwinyi’s family and the Tanzanian people at this time.”

The message was signed: "Charles R".

Mwinyi was fondly known as Mzee Rukhsa, meaning “Mr Permission”, for opening up Tanzania and allowing multiparty democracy, independent media, free trade and the private ownership of televisions.

The monarch is working behind the scenes but has postponed all public-facing engagements while he undergoes treatment.

While King Charles steps back from official visits, other members of the Royal Family have stepped up to take on extra duties.

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Queen Camilla has been carrying out several engagements since King Charles's cancer diagnosis.

She has completed 13 solo engagements since her husband's condition was revealed but is now understood to be taking a break.

The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following treatment for an enlarged prostate, which was unrelated.

He was treated in the same hospital as the Princess of Wales, who underwent abdominal surgery in January.