The Duke of Edinburgh resumed his royal duties on Thursday, marking the first overseas engagement by a member of the royal family this year.
Prince Edward, 60, represented the British monarchy at the state funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, held at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Dressed in a formal dark suit, the King’s younger brother was seated alongside outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the service. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also in attendance, seated behind Edward, while all five living U.S. presidents gathered to honor President Carter.
President Joe Biden delivered the eulogy, with former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and President-elect Donald Trump also present. Trump’s inauguration is scheduled for January 20.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away at the age of 100 on December 29. His body lay in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda before being transported to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest.
During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Carter paid an official visit to the UK, meeting with the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Following the announcement of Carter’s death, King Charles paid tribute in a heartfelt message to President Joe Biden and the American people: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of President Carter. He was a committed public servant who devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.”
Prince Edward attended the funeral alone, as his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh, remained in the UK. The couple recently spent Christmas at the Sandringham estate with their children, Lady Louise Windsor, 21, and James, Earl of Wessex, 17.
