How Jimmy Carter shattered royal protocol by kissing the Queen Mother on the LIPS during 1977 trip to England, leaving her horrified
- Carter is still remembered in Britain for the biggest Royal protocol breach ever
- READ MORE: Jimmy Carter dead at 100
His presidency lasted just four years - but Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100 - is still remembered for committing one of the biggest breaches of royal protocol ever.
During a stay at Buckingham Palace ahead of a G7 visit in May 1977, having been invited by Queen Elizabeth II, President Carter kissed the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, on the lips by way of greeting.
The Queen Mother, who died in March 2002, was not amused by Georgia-born-and-bred Carter's Southern hospitality.
No images of the offending moment were captured. But the Queen Mother later wrote about the unpleasant encounter, noting how she had seen Carter leaning in for a kiss and had unsuccessfully tried to dodge him.
'Nobody has done that since my husband died,' she later said. 'I took a sharp step backwards – not quite far enough.'
The Queen Mother's husband, King George VI, died in 1952, meaning Carter had been the first man to kiss her on the lips in 25 years. He was also likely the last.
President Jimmy Carter is seen speaking with Her Majesties The Queen and the Queen Mother, as Prince Philip stands in the background, in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace during a visit in May 1977
The Queen Mother walks with President Jimmy Carter, seen right, in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family entertained seven world leaders during a dinner
President Carter, right, can be seen holding the gloved left hand of the Queen Mother. Queen Elizabeth II is seen in a yellow gown, far left
French President Giscard d'Estaing, left, chats with Queen Elizabeth II, and President Jimmy Carter escorts the Queen Mother to pose for photographers prior to the State Dinner, May 7, 1977, at Buckingham Palace. Behind Carter is Prince Philip
Usually, when greeting the Queen and other members of the Royal Family, men typically bow their head or simply shake hands.
Americans are not required to bow or curtsy. But a kiss on the lips is completely off limits, regardless of nationality.
During the visit, Carter was seen speaking with the Queen Mother and also walked alongside her into the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
'At one point, as Mr Carter stood with the Queen and other guests, he noticed the arrival of the Queen Mother,' the Associated Press detailed at the time.
'Ever the Southern gentleman, Carter broke away, took her by the hand and escorted her to the assembled line of guests,' the AP said, making no mention of the kiss.
In the ensuing years, all offense was forgotten, with Carter becoming known for his exceptional humility and charitable work after leaving office.
Following the Queen's death in 2022, Carter issued a statement paying tribute to Her Majesty.
'Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of 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,' he said in a statement.
President Jimmy Carter, right, and Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London in 1977
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Jimmy Carter in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, in May 1977
Carter is pictured with the Queen. He and other NATO heads of state attended a dinner at the palace on May 10, 1977
Carter appeared to take a shine to the Queen Mother during his short visit to the palace
Canada's Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, (Prince Charles far background), Princess Margaret, Japan's Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, Britain's Prime Minister James Callaghan, France's President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Queen Mother, Jimmy Carter, Italy's Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti and Germany's Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (L-R) in London, May 13, 1977
The Queen, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96 after serving as monarch for 70 years, met 13 of the 14 US presidents who served during her reign, including Carter.
The first president she met was Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Joe Biden was the last.
Lyndon B. Johnson was the only president Elizabeth II didn't meet. He was president between the assassination of JFK in November 1963 and 1969. During that time, Johnson concentrated his diplomacy efforts on Asia and Australasia. He paid only two visits to Europe, and didn't meet the Queen during either.
The pair could have met at JFK's funeral, but the Queen was pregnant with her youngest son Edward at the time, and was unable to travel.
