King Charles has sent a heartfelt message of condolence to President Joe Biden and the American people following the death of the country’s longest living president Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday. The message reads: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter.”
“He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. 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 at this time.”
The message was then signed off as “Charles R” indicating it had come from the monarch himself.
The former president passed away on Sunday, his son confirmed, just weeks after fulfilling his dying wish, which was to vote for Kamala Harris in the last US election. The Democrat former peanut farmer, who served one term in the White House and dedicated the rest of his life to charity, decided against more medical treatment in February after a string of hospital stays, to treat his growing list of ailments.
King Charles expressed his grief in a poignant message
(Image: The Royal Family)
The Nobel Peace Prize winner lived out his final months in Plains, Georgia. Throughout his life, President Carter was beloved by many of the people he met, including then-Prince Charles who fondly recalled meeting the world leader back in 1977 – however the same couldn’t be said for his grandmother, The Queen Mother, reports the Mirror.
In a well-known breach of Royal etiquette, President Carter greeted the Queen Mother with a kiss on the lips at Buckingham Palace in 1977, ahead of a NATO visit. Although the gesture may have been a display of Southern charm to him, it was a significant protocol breach that left the Queen Mother deeply shocked.
She later recounted the unpleasant encounter, describing how she attempted to dodge him after noticing his intention to kiss her. “Nobody has done that since my husband died,” she said.
“I took a sharp step backwards – not quite far enough.”
Jimmy Carter’s breach of royal protocol shocked the late Queen Mother
(Image: Getty Images)
This was the Queen Mother’s first kiss in over 25 years, as no man had kissed her since King George VI’s passing in 1952. Although this incident did not win the President favour with the senior royal, many others remembered him fondly for his numerous accomplishments.
Following Carter’s death, President Joe Biden praised him as an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and a dear friend, highlighting his remarkable work in promoting peace, human rights, and humanitarian causes. In a heartfelt statement, President Biden said: “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honourable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
The former US President was inundated with tributes following his death
(Image: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump also paid tribute, stating: “I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History. The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.”