Prince Charles Has Arrived at George H.W. Bush's Funeral

From Town & Country

Today, political powerhouses and dignitaries from around the world are gathering to pay tribute to former President George H.W. Bush at one of two funeral services held at the the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, Clarence House revealed on Twitter that Prince Charles would attend the state funeral to pay respects on behalf of the Queen.

The news came just days after Queen Elizabeth released a touching letter to the American people sharing her grief over George H.W.'s death. "President Bush was a great friend and ally of the United Kingdom," the monarch wrote. "He was also a patriot, serving his country with honour and distinction in Office and during the Second World War. Prince Philip and 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."

Prince Charles spent time with George H.W. Bush on a number of occasions, spanning from before Bush's presidency up until the mid-2000s. In 1985, Charles and Princess Diana met with then-Vice President Bush and then-second lady Barbara Bush during an official visit to the United States.

Charles was photographed with the Bush family again in 2005, during another official visit to the United States. While Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were hosted by then-President George W. Bush, the elder Bush attended a state dinner and was seen chatting with Charles during the event.

It wasn't just state visits and official affairs that brought Charles and the elder Bush together: in 2002, both men took in a flypast in celebration of the American Air Museum in Britain, a permanent display at IWM Duxford, a branch of the Imperial War Museums. The collection includes original American military aircraft from World War I through today, a poignant place for George H.W. Bush, who was a veteran of World War II, to visit.

Memorial services in honor of George H.W. Bush started on Monday at the U.S. Capitol. The former president's remains laid in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol until Wednesday morning, when the funeral at the Washington National Cathedral began. Prince Charles is joined by politicians, including President Trump and first lady Melania Trump, and numerous public figures at the service.

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