The work of the Church of Scotland and other faith communities in caring for the poor and refugees has been praised by King Charles III.

In a letter, addressing the Church of Scotland’s general assembly as is tradition, the monarch thanked members for the “many expressions of condolences” sent after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and pledged to “preserve and uphold the rights and privileges of the Church of Scotland".

It said: “We deeply appreciated the many expressions of condolences we received on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, our beloved mother, and for the warmth and dignity of the national service of thanksgiving for her life that was held at St Giles' Cathedral.

"We are very conscious at this time of the pain for so many people across the world who are suffering from the vagaries of war and poverty.

"We are, as ever, inspired by the way in which the Church of Scotland, with other churches and faith communities, has expressed the Gospel imperative to the poor and made the care of refugees and asylum seekers such a priority," the letter continued.

Praising the peace pilgrimage to South Sudan made alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and The Pope earlier this year, King Charles also prayed for a “swift end to the current hostilities to ease the human suffering and bring peace".

The letter came as the head of the charity Christian Aid Scotland, Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, was installed as the next moderator of the general assembly.

The 59-year-old said she is “beyond humbled, inexpressibly honoured and more than a wee bit excited” to start the role.

She will be in the role for the next 12 months and takes on from Very Rev Dr Iain Greenshields.