King Charles receives girl's letter at Stevenage church

The King signed the visitors' book before unveiling a plaque commemorating his visit to Stevenage

King Charles III was given a Christmas letter by a six-year-old girl at a visit to an Orthodox church.

He attended a service and reception at the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday.

His visit was part of continued efforts to encourage interfaith dialogue and a greater understanding of different religions in Britain and abroad.

Six-year-old Taormina handed the King a letter, which included love hearts and the words "Happy Holidays".

This letter was given to the King by Taormina

The King was greeted on arrival by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, local councillors and the Bishop of St Albans, the Right Reverend Alan Smith.

A 15-minute service including prayers, gospel readings and the Orthodox Creed was held in the Cathedral of St George.

The King shook hands as he moved through the congregation of about 500 people in the packed hall, eventually coming across Taormina.

The King said he had the "greatest admiration for the Coptic community"

After unveiling a plaque commemorating his visit, he told the congregation he had the "greatest admiration for the Coptic community".

"If I may say so, this has been a very special occasion and I want to wish you nothing but a very happy Christmas indeed," the King added.

The Coptic Orthodox community, an indigenous Egyptian Christian community, has grown with the establishment of a diocese in London, with approximately 40,000 Coptic Orthodox Christians now in the UK.

The King last visited the centre when he was Prince of Wales in December 2013 and photographs of the occasion were displayed at the entrance.

He concluded his visit by planting a plum tree at the front of the centre and waved to attendees as he left.