King Charles Privately Congratulates President Jimmy Carter on Turning 100

The King's parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip met the former president in 1977, when they mingled during a dinner at Buckingham Palace

In this image released on December 23, King Charles III is seen during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, on December 13, 2022 in Windsor, England; Former United States President Jimmy Carter attends the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares' Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs. For more information visit musicares.org.
King Charles; Jimmy Carter. Photo:

Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty; Kevin Mazur/WireImage

King Charles is among the many celebrating former President Jimmy Carter's milestone 100th birthday.

PEOPLE understands that the King "expressed warm personal greetings and great admiration" for Carter's lifetime of duty and public service, according to a spokesperson for the monarch. In a private message, the King congratulated Carter on becoming the first former president to become a centenarian.

Carter, who turned 100 on Oct. 1, served as U.S. president from 1977 to 1981 and during that time met the King's parents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1977. Both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also almost lived to see 100.

Prince Philip died in April 2021, less than two months shy of his 100th birthday. The Queen died in September 2022 at 96 years old.

Pierre Trudeau, (Prince Charles far background), Princess Margaret, Takeo Fukuda, James Callaghan, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Jimmy Carter, Giulio Andreotti, Helmut Schmidt
Pierre Trudeau, (Prince Charles far background), Princess Margaret, Takeo Fukuda, James Callaghan, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Jimmy Carter, Giulio Andreotti and Helmut Schmidt in 1977.

Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty

The former president, the late Queen and late Duke of Edinburgh had dinner together in Buckingham Palace following a NATO Ministerial Meeting at Lancaster House in London, according to the White House Historical Association.

Associated Press reports that at the dinner, when the Queen Mother arrived, Carter "broke away, took her by the hand and escorted her to the assembled line of guests." The Queen Mother would herself live to 101 and died in March 2002.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Carter, who became the longest-living president in March 2019, began receiving hospice care in February 2023. Not long after, it was revealed that his wife of over 75 years, Rosalynn Carter, had been diagnosed with dementia.

The former first lady died in November 2023, and Carter made a rare public appearance at her funeral service later that month.

President Jimmy Carter stands with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, at a dinner for summit leaders.
Queen Elizabeth and Jimmy Carter in 1977.

Bettmann/Getty

He wore a blanket that had his wife's face stitched onto it, paying homage to their decades-spanning love story — which was not much different than the King's parents, who were married for over 70 years themselves.

Related Articles