King Charles has expressed his “great sadness” as he wrote an emotional tribute to former US President Jimmy Carter, who died yesterday, aged 100.
The Nobel Prize winner’s son, Chip Carter, confirmed his father died at his home in Plains, Georgia, at around 3:45pm local time.
Having been a strong advocate for democracy and human rights around the world, Carter was the first former president to live to 100 years old, celebrating his birthday in October.
The monarch called the former Democrat and longest living US president “a committed public servant” and an “inspiration to many”.
King Charles has expressed his “great sadness” as he wrote an emotional tribute to former US president Jimmy Carter
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In an official statement, the King said: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of 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 King signed the statement “Charles R”.
This signature indicates that the message came from the monarch himself.
King Charles and Jimmy Carter met only once, at the G7 Summit in London in 1977, as mentioned by His Majesty in the statement.
That same year, Carter visited Buckingham Palace to meet with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, famously breaking royal protocol by kissing the Queen Mother, who died in 2002.
Jimmy Carter visited Buckingham Palace to meet with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1977
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Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, maintained a friendly relationship with the Royal Family.
It was reported that King Charles congratulated Carter on becoming the first former president to live to 100 years old in a private message.
Following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II at age 96 on September 8, 2022, Carter paid tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch.
He wrote: “Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the citizens of the United Kingdom.
“Her dignity, graciousness and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader.”
