George H.W. Bush Funeral: What Time Is It and Who's Attending Service at Washington National Cathedral?

The life of President George H.W. Bush will be honored at a funeral service at Washington D.C. on Friday, with a number of dignitaries from the United States and around the world set to be in attendance. The service, one of several to take place for Bush following his death at the age of 94 on Friday, will take place at 11 a.m. EST at the Washington National Cathedral.

Bush has been lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda since Monday, with thousands flowing through to pay their respects. Among those to visit the Rotunda have been Bush's son, President George W. Bush, as well as President Donald Trump and an emotional former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.

There will be a lengthy list of attendees on Wednesday as well. Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to be there, along with their predecessors—Barack and Michelle Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Jimmy and Roslyn Carter. George W. Bush, wife Laura Bush, as well as former presidential candidate Jeb Bush, will also, of course, be present.

Other domestic political heavyweights set to attend include House Speaker Paul Ryan and Florida Governor Rick Scott.

President George W. Bush, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Senator Alan Simpson and author Jon Meacham are set to read eulogies.

But plenty of world leaders have also flown in for the occasion. Prince Charles will be representing Queen Elizabeth II, Clarence House announced on Tuesday.

The Prince of Wales will attend the state funeral of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. The service will take place tomorrow at The National Cathedral in Washington.

The Prince will be representing Her Majesty The Queen.

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) December 4, 2018

Also from the United Kingdom, John Major, who served as British prime minister while Bush was in the White House, is scheduled to be present. Current heads of state will also take their place in the cathedral, most notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"I mourn George Bush, the 41st president of the United States, as the chancellor of the German Federal Republic but also as a German who, without the results of his policies, would hardly be standing here," Merkel told reporters, paying tribute to Bush's efforts to reunify Germany.

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan will join Merkel in paying their respects as will Polish President Andrzej Duda and former Polish President Lech Walesa.

Former leaders set to be president include Mexican President Carlos Salinas and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

President Trump has proclaimed Wednesday a national day of mourning. Following the funeral, Bush's body will be flown to Houston, where he will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church until a more private funeral service on Thursday.

george h.w. bush funeral time, who's attending
People gather in the Rotunda of the US Capitol to pay respects to former President George H.W. Bush, as the remains of the former president lies in state December 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP/Getty Images

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