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The heir to the British throne will attend Wednesday’s funeral for the late 41st United States president,George H.W. Bush, who died at age 94 on Friday.
In a Tuesday morning tweet,Clarence House, the residence ofPrince Charles, 70, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 71, confirmed the oldest son ofQueen Elizabethwould fly across the pond for the somber occasion.
“The Prince of Wales will attend the state funeral of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush,” the post read. “The service will take place tomorrow at The National Cathedral in Washington. The Prince will be representing Her Majesty The Queen.”
On Saturday, the Queen shared her condolences with current PresidentDonald Trumpand “the people of America.”
“It was with sadness that I learned of the death of President George H.W. Bush last night,” she saidin a statementshared on the royal family’s official website. “President Bush was a great friend and ally of the United Kingdom. He was also a patriot, serving his country with honour and distinction in Office and during the Second World War.”
Prince Charles and George H. W. Bush.ANDREW PARSONS/AFP/Getty
The monarch continued: “Prince Philipand I remember our days in Texas in 1991 with great fondness. My thoughts and prayers are with President Bush’s family and the American people.”
She signed it “Elizabeth R.”
The Queen, 92, traveled toTexas with her husband Prince Philip in May 1991, becoming the first British monarch to visit the state, according to the Associated Press.
Ahead of his funeral on Wednesday,Bush became the 12th president to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotundaon Monday evening. The last deceased commander-in-chief to do so was Gerald Ford in 2006. Bush’s casket will remain there until 7 a.m. EST, Wednesday. Then, his body will be taken back to Houston after the services at the Washington National Cathedral.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty
The president and First LadyMelania Trumppaid their respectsto the decorated Navy veteran on Monday — along withthousands of mournerswho waited in line to visit his remains.
People pay respects as the remains of former US President George H. W. Bush lie in state in the US Capitol’s rotunda.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty
Hours before the Trumps’ arrival, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellpaid their respects at the Rotunda.
In a presidential proclamation, Trump declared that Wednesday would be dedicated to Bush’s memory and that flags should be lowered to half-staff in his honor for 30 days.
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Joint service members of a military casket team carry the casket of former President George H. W. Bush.TING SHEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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source: people.com
