Prince Edward represented the British Royal Family at the state funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter in Washington DC today alongside Donald Trump.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 60, attended the solemn service at Washington National Cathedral as the sole member of the British monarchy present.
The King’s younger brother travelled solo to the American capital for the occasion, marking the first overseas royal engagement of 2025.
The funeral service comes after Carter, who died aged 100 on December 29, lay in state at the US Capitol Rotunda.
Prince Edward represented the British Royal Family at the state funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter in Washington DC today alongside Donald Trump
Getty
The Duke of Edinburgh was seated alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the service, with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also in attendance, seated behind Prince Edward.
King Charles and Prince William were notably absent from today’s funeral service.
The Prince of Wales did not make the trip as it coincided with his wife Princess Catherine’s 43rd birthday.
Royal fans on social media expressed support for William’s decision to remain in the UK.
The Duke of Edinburgh was seated alongside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the service
Getty
One supporter wrote on X: “I’m glad he won’t go… this way he can spend Catherine’s birthday with her.”
The Duke of Edinburgh attended without his wife, Duchess Sophie, who remained in Britain following their family Christmas at Sandringham.
Following Carter’s death last month, King Charles released a personal tribute to the former US president, writing: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of President Carter. He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights.”
The King recalled Carter’s 1977 visit to Britain, stating: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977.”
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The King’s younger brother travelled solo to the American capital for the occasion
Getty
The message concluded with Charles’s thoughts and prayers for Carter’s family and the American people, signed “Charles R.”
President Biden delivered the eulogy at the service in front of all five living US presidents who gathered to pay their respects.
Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump were present at the cathedral alongside the royal.
Following the Washington ceremony, Carter will be laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, in a private burial service alongside his late wife Rosalynn.