World Leaders and VIP Guests Attend George HW Bush’s Funeral

Dignitaries from around the world and VIP guests who served in high levels of the United States government, including former vice presidents Joe Biden, Dick Cheney, and Al Gore, were among those attending the funeral for former president George H.W. Bush on Dec. 5.

A number of other former officials, including Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, and Hillary Clinton, and current officials, including White House advisors Ivanka Trump, Stephen Miller, and Jared Kushner, were also among the attendees.

All the living former presidents—Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter—were in attendance with their wives, as was President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, along with Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Susan Pence.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain’s Prince Charles were among the foreign dignitaries present, while notables such as former star NFL player Peyton Manning and golfer Phil Mickelson also attended the funeral at the National Cathedral.

George and Laura were joined by George HW Bush's children in Washington D.C. Reuters

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for the State Funeral former President George H.W. Bush, at the National Cathedral in Washington, on Dec. 5, 2018. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Besides the former president, a number of Bush’s family members attended the funeral, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush’s casket was transported to the cathedral from the Capitol, where thousands stopped by over the past several days to pay their respects to the 41st president of the United States.

(L-R) Janna Ryan, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Iris Weinshall, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Pelosi await the departure of the flag-draped casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 5, 2018. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A U.S. military honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 5, 2018. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

After the funeral, the casket bearing the former president will be taken to Houston, Texas, for a viewing. Bush will be buried at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum after a ceremony at the Texas A&M University on Dec. 6.

Bush, 94, died on Nov. 30. He was survived by five children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 2 siblings.

Mourners file into the Washington National Cathedral before the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush in Washington on Dec. 5, 2018. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

People arrive for a State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington on Dec. 5, 2018. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool

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President Trump declared Dec. 5 a national holiday in honor of Bush.

Trump hailed him in a statement as “fearless, courageous, adventurous, and unyielding.”