World leaders, citizens bid adieu to 41st President George HW Bush

World leaders and scores of mourners gathered in Washington to bid goodbye to the late 41st President of the United States George H W Bush at the state funeral on Wednesday.

Since Monday, thousands of mourners have paid their respects to the former President, who had once asked "Do you think anyone will come?" when he was briefed in 2011 about his eventual state funeral, according to his spokesman, Jim McGrath.

His casket was taken from Capitol Rotunda to the Washington National Cathedral in a motorcade, while complete state honours were accorded to the late former President, including a 21-gun salute and cannons.

 

The Bush family, led by former President and H W Bush's son George Bush, was present at the Capitol Rotunda, hands over their hearts, as his casket was loaded onto the hearse.

Thousands of citizens lined the streets in remembrance of the stalwart as the Presidential hearse passed the lanes of Washington on December 5, the national day of mourning across the country.

Over 3,000 people have gathered at the cathedral, including the Bush family, incumbent US President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump, former US Presidents and former First Ladies, including Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton along with world leaders like King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.

Four eulogies, two readings, and numerous hymns are a part of the funeral programme, including a eulogy by the late President's son, former US President George W Bush. Several musical pieces will be performed by the Armed Forces Orchestra and the United States Marine Orchestra.

Trump had earlier marked the day as a "day of celebration" on Twitter by stating, "Looking forward to being with the Bush family. This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!"

The stalwart, who passed away on November 30, is known for his contributions towards the nation as the 41st President of the United States of America, including steering the nation's foreign policy in the wake of the disintegration of the USSR in 1991 while ushering in a 'new world order'.

He had also ordered the invasion of Kuwait to drive out Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and formed a UN-backed 30-nation coalition for the task in 1990.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier paid their obeisance to the leader and offered their condolences to the Bush family.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Michelle Obama canceled a few dates of her book tour to attend Bush senior's funeral on Wednesday.