North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, on Thursday sent a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II of Britain on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, despite the "cold" relations between London and Pyongyang.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry said on its website that Kim had sent a telegram congratulating Britain, the queen and the people.
No further details were revealed about the 38-year-old North Korean leader's letter to Queen Elizabeth II, as the United Kingdom begins four-day celebrations.
Britain and North Korea established diplomatic relations in 2000 and have been keen to continue the work of embassies, despite tensions over Pyongyang's relationship with the West.
Relations between North Korea and the West have deteriorated in recent years amid Pyongyang's insistence on advancing its nuclear and missile programme.
The isolated communist state has not wavered from criticizing Britain for London's support for Washington's sanctions to dissuade Pyongyang from its nuclear ambitions.
North Korea is also troubled by Britain's participation in a U.S.-led coalition to strengthen Australia's influence and enable it to have nuclear-powered submarines.
During former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, three meetings with Kim Jong Un failed to advance a nuclear disarmament agreement on the Korean peninsula.
In 2022, North Korea conducted 17 rounds of missile tests, including the first intercontinental ballistic missile test in nearly five years.