Muhammad Ali hailed Britain's Prince Charles as "the greatest" on Friday as the heir to the British throne wrapped up a US tour with a visit to the boxing legend's hometown.
Charles, accompanied by his wife Camilla, fulfilled a packed schedule in the Kentucky city of Louisville that reflected his keen interest in agriculture and the environment.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were also treated to performances at a cultural festival at the city's Kentucky Center for African American Heritage.
But the warmest welcome no doubt came in the form of a letter from Ali, a Louisville native and three-time heavyweight champion widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
"As you travel back to your homeland, we hope you know how much this city respects and admires the many contributions you have made in the world. We think you are the greatest," he added.
Ali, 73, famously nicknamed "The Greatest," has been battling Parkinson's disease for years, and in December checked into hospital with a bout of pneumonia.
The prince is assuming more of the official duties that used to be performed by his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 89 on April 21. She has been monarch since 1952.
Queen Camilla Keeps Prince William In Check If He's Disrespectful, Reveals New Book King Charles, Queen Camilla Rushed To Safety Due To Security Scare Over False Alarm Ex-India Star, Snubbed By USA For T20 World Cup, Takes Major League Cricket 2024 By Storm "Trusted Mamata Banerjee But...": Father Of Murdered Doctor To NDTV Supreme Court Takes Up Doctor's Rape-Murder Case, To Hear Matter On Tuesday Fed Up With Stunt Riders, People Throw 2 Scooters Off Bengaluru Flyover This Is Where IMF's Gita Gopinath Spent Hours During Her College Days JEECUP 2024: Round 4 Seat Allotment Result Released, Check Steps To Access Some Planned To Use Kolkata Football Match To Create Trouble, Say Sources Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.