The Prince of Wales has welcomed the Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to Clarence House.

Heir-to-the-throne Charles was pictured smiling and gesturing with his hands as he stood more than two metres apart from the former intelligence chief in an antique-filled room in his official London residence.

Charles and the Iraqi prime minister appeared on good terms during the socially distanced meeting.

The prince’s room was filled with an array of ornaments including two china cockerels, an ornate golden clock, a wide collection of plates and crystal candelabra.

Mr al-Kadhimi is an ex-journalist who served as head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service from 2016 until May 2020, when he was tasked with forming a government.

The approval of a new government ended months of deadlock as Iraq battled an economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousands of people were taking to the streets of Baghdad and other cities before the Covid-19 outbreak to express anger at corruption, high unemployment, poor public services and foreign interference.

In September, a roadside bombing targeted British diplomatic vehicles in Baghdad.

There were no injuries but the attack fuelled concerns over armed groups outside of the state’s control.