King Charles, the British monarch, fondly remembers former US president Jimmy Carter following his death this weekend at age 100. On Sunday, December 29, the Carter Center revealed in a public statement that the 39th POTUS, who founded the initiative alongside his wife Rosalynn shortly after his reign as president, passed away in his home in Plains, Georgia. His time of death was recorded as 3:45 p.m. Since his demise, several high-profile figures and those in positions of authority have utilized public platforms to mourn his loss, recognizing the Nobel Prize winner for the great leader and humanitarian he was.
King Charles joined the outpouring, sharing a heartfelt tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter on social media. The monarch began his tribute by revealing how greatly saddened he felt after learning of Carter’s death. He went on to describe the former president as “a committed public servant,” dedicated to promoting a life of peace and human rights. The king added,
“His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people this time.”
Former US President Jimmy Carter Broke Royal Protocol on UK Visit
Jimmy Carter famously visited the United Kingdom in May 1977 to attend the Economic Summit Meeting of the heads of State and Governments of countries like Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. During the Summit, which was held in Newcastle in London, Carter met with fellow world leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Greece, Norway, Turkey, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the Netherlands from May 5 to May 10, 1977.
His stay in the United Kingdom remains an unforgettable, historically significant moment, as not only did it precede his May 1977 NATO visit, but the president committed one of the biggest breaches of royal protocols ever. Notably, Jimmy Carter made a stop at Buckingham Palace at the invitation of the then monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. During his stay in the Palace, he notably kissed the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon on the lips as was a common Southern greeting. However, the Queen, who was not fond of such a reception, was left horrified by the act.
The Queen Mother, who died in March 2002 recounted the horrifying moment years later, revealing how she unsuccessfully tried to dodge Carter when she saw him leaning in for a kiss. Elizabeth Bowes admitted that no one had done that since her husband, King George VI’s death, making Jimmy Carter the first person to kiss her on the lips in 25 years.
The president’s UK visit was followed by visits to Switzerland that same month and another to Poland in December 1977. King Charles, then 29 years of age and next in line of succession, could understandably have witnessed the UK visit, joining his parents’ hospitality efforts and perhaps, interacting with Jimmy Carter on some level, enough to remember him “with great fondness.” Truly, the world just lost a legend.
