King Charles Greets South Carolina Couple Outside Buckingham Palace: 'It Is a Dream'
A South Carolina couple just had a once-in-a-lifetime vacation moment.
Traveling across the pond for the first time ever, John Strickland and Maria Gabbamonte, both 71, shook hands with new monarch King Charles III while outside of Buckingham Palace on Friday. The couple greeted both Charles and Queen Camilla as they were coincidentally in the front row when the royals stepped out of the car.
"He was just shaking hands and just thanking everybody for being here," Strickland tells PEOPLE. "People were offering condolences and stuff like that and he was just thanking them."
Gabbamonte adds, "He tried to reach out to as many people as he possibly could."
RELATED: King Charles III: New Title Confirmed by Clarence House
The couple said they were in disbelief that the moment happened.
"It is a dream that I will treasure, and I will tell my grandchildren all about it," Gabbamonte says. "I am overcome."
As for what the couple's plans originally looked like, they were planning on visiting the top tourist stops in the city such as Abbey Road. "But this is way better," Gabbamonte shares.
John Strickland and Maria Gabbamonte
Strickland explained that a few unfortunate events led to the unexpected meet up. "We flew over yesterday. I accidentally left my phone at Heathrow and had to get on a train to go back to the airport," he explains, noting that he heard of Queen Elizabeth's death on the train. "I had no idea until then," he says.
"Everybody just kind of looked down at their phones and were very quiet," Gabbamonte says of the passengers' reactions.
Samir Hussein/WireImage King Charles and Queen Camilla
RELATED: King Charles and Queen Camilla Return to London Following Death of Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral
The couple also tells to PEOPLE they're big fans of Queen Elizabeth, who died "peacefully in Balmoral" on Thursday at age 96.
"I have always absorbed anything I've ever seen about the Queen," Gabbamonte says.
As for how the two plan to continue their trip, they will travel across Europe visiting Paris, Rome, Switzerland and Sicily. Before that, they'll get "one or two" beers to recover from the exciting moment.
RELATED: King Charles Makes First Appearance as Monarch Following Queen Elizabeth's Death
Charles and Camilla received their new titles immediately after the Queen's death. Camilla's title was an honor Queen Elizabeth directly expressed in February.
The new ranks were reflected in official communications from Buckingham Palace Thursday. "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow," a statement said.
RELATED: Why Prince Charles Won't Wear a Crown Yet — How British Royal Succession Works
Charles was also referenced as "His Majesty, the King" on letterhead from Buckingham Palace, in his first statement as monarch following the death of his mother.
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," King Charles said.
"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother," he continued. "I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held," the King concluded.
Upon his ascension in the royal line of succession, Charles follows his mother's lead in keeping his own first name as monarch.
