King Charles met the Prime Minister of New Zealand at Windsor Castle yesterday, just hours after the sad news that Pope Francis had died aged 88. Both men wore a black tie in a mark of respect to the Pope, who died of a cerebral stroke in the early hours of Monday morning. 

It marked the King's first official engagement since the death of the pontiff, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The King and New Zealand's premier Christopher Luxon were said to have taken the opportunity to "reflect on Pope Francis's remarkable life and legacy", a source said.

Yesterday, the King said he and the Queen were "most deeply saddened" to learn of the Pope's death and "were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month".

Charles and Camilla visited the pontiff at the Vatican on April 9, the day the royal couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

In a statement on Monday, Charles said: "Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

"The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month."