All five of America’s living presidents attended Jimmy Carter’s funeral today – and the seating plan forced numerous rivals to sit close together at the front of the cathedral.
Each president, apart from Barack Obama, was accompanied by his wife and the two rows were completed by vice president Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff.
The last time the former and current presidents publicly gathered together was in 2018.
All eyes were on the pews of the Washington National Cathedral as they filed in, and while some greeted each other warmly – and even appeared to share a laugh – the same can’t be said for everyone.
Here’s a who’s who of the front rows – including who acknowledged each other, and who decided against interactions…
1 – Joe Biden
President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy at Mr Carter’s funeral, in one of his final public speaking appearances before leaving office.
“To young people, to anyone in search of meaning and purpose, study the power of Jimmy Carter’s example,” Mr Biden said of Mr Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981. “Character, faith, love – a true patriot.”
As the serving president, Mr Biden sat in the front row at the Cathedral – putting a perhaps welcome distance between himself and Mr Trump.
2 – Jill Biden
First Lady Jill Biden took her place between her husband and his vice president, Kamala Harris.
The Bidens were the last of the dignitaries to enter the cathedral and did so hand-in-hand. The president’s recently pardoned son, Hunter, was also among the mourners, though he did not sit near his father.
3 – Kamala Harris
Mr Carter’s funeral brought VP Kamala Harris face-to-face with Donald Trump for the first time since she lost to her Republican rival in the US presidential election in November.
Ms Harris and her husband did not acknowledge the president-elect – or indeed, anyone else – as they made their way to their seats, preferring to instead stare solemnly, straight ahead.
4 – Doug Emhoff
America’s first, and only, second gentleman dutifully accompanied Ms Harris into the cathedral. The seating plan put him directly between his wife and Mr Trump, who sat a row behind.
5 – Donald Trump
Mr Trump attended the funeral in his capacity as a former president but he is, of course, set to make an historic return to the Oval Office on 20 January.
As well as bringing the president-elect face to face with his Democrat rivals, the funeral saw Mr Trump reunite with Mike Pence – his former VP who last year refused to endorse him.
Mr Trump and Mr Pence shook hands with little expression on their faces before taking their seats.
As the remaining mourners filed in, Mr Trump spent several minutes making conversation with Barack Obama, who sat to his right. Mr Obama could be seen nodding as his successor spoke before breaking into a grin.
6 – Melania Trump
Melania Trump is being thrown back into a world of public events thanks to her husband’s presidential election win, but she attended today as a former first lady.
She joined her husband in shaking Mr Pence’s hand as they arrived at their seats, before remaining stone-faced and staring straight ahead while waiting for the service to start.
7 – Barack Obama
Barack Obama was the only one of the former presidents who was not accompanied by his wife.
Michelle Obama had a scheduling conflict and remained in Hawaii, where she is taking an “extended vacation”, CNN reported ahead of the funeral.
After speaking to Mr Trump, Mr Obama could be seen turning in his seat to speak to Mr Pence.
8 and 9 – George W Bush and Laura Bush
The former presidents and first ladies arrived in reverse chronological order, meaning George W Bush and Laura Bush had to skirt past Mr and Mrs Trump, the most recent former residents of the White House, and Mr Obama, to get to their seats.
While Mr Obama stood to greet the pair and let them pass, the Trumps remained in their seats, with Melania studiously reading the order of service instead.
Once seated, Mr and Mrs Bush greeted people sitting in the third row, including former VPs Mike Pence, Dan Quayle and Al Gore.
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10 and 11 – Bill and Hillary Clinton
Bill Clinton was the last of the former presidents to arrive and did so alongside his wife Hillary, who herself lost an election to Mr Trump back in 2016.
The Clintons dodged the Trumps completely by walking around the pews to reach their aisle seats. They were greeted by Mr Bush, Mr Pence and Mr Gore, all of whom stood for their arrival.
12 – Mike Pence
Mr Pence’s big reunion with his former boss Mr Trump marked the first time they’ve been seen in public together since leaving the White House in 2021.
Mr Pence served as VP for the entirety of Mr Trump’s first presidency but the pair’s relationship soured in 2020 when Mr Pence refused to back claims the Republicans had won the latest election.
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He then refused to support Mr Trump during last year’s presidential election.
Mr Pence attended the funeral alongside his wife, Karen, who did not stand to shake the Trumps’ hands.
