Nancy Reagan Mourns Ambassador Price

The death of Ambassador Charles Price, a U.S. ambassador in Europe under President Ronald Reagan, has prompted a global outpouring of tributes to the esteemed diplomat who has died in California.

During his diplomatic career, Charles H. Price II hosted such dignitaries as Margaret Thatcher, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, who is mourning the loss of a 33-year friendship.

Nancy Reagan personally contacted Californiality, requesting the publication of her heartfelt eulogy for Ambassador Price with condolences for his wife and family.  There is no refusing the First Lady.

Statement by Mrs. Ronald Reagan 

on the Death of Ambassador Charles H. Price II

Los Angeles, California

"I was terribly saddened this morning to hear of the death of Charles Price.

Charlie was not only a successful businessman, but served this country in the Air Force and twice served in the diplomatic corps overseas.  In 1981, he went to Belgium as the U.S. Ambassador and then in 1983, Ronnie asked him to serve as the U.S Ambassador to the Court of St. James's.  

I will never forget the extraordinary hospitality that Charlie and Carol showed us when we traveled to England on state visits and we have continued our close friendship to this day.  I will miss Charlie's good humor, his generosity and his great stories.

My heart goes out to Carol and the entire Price family."

Ambassador Price made several trips to war-weary Belfast, Northern Ireland, and he helped his friend Margaret Thatcher handle the aftermath of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.

"Charlie" Price was also an executive of the New York Times, Texaco, U.S. Industries, Sprint, Ameribanc and Mercantile Bank.

The Salvation Army awarded Price its highest honor for humanitarian service, the William Booth Award.

The late Ambassador Charles Price succumbed to a heart attack at age 80 in Indian Wells, California. He is survived by his wife, Carol Swanson Price, five children and several grandchildren.

The esteemed Californian left behind some final words of wisdom, which are quite poignant:

"Never, never give up.  You will always succeed if you accept that you will not succeed every time. But never accept losing as anything other than a learning experience to drive you to be a champion in all walks of life."

Ambassador Charles Price 1931-2012