Prince Edward Represents King Charles at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, represented King Charles III at the funeral of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9, 2025. The 60-year-old royal traveled solo to the U.S. capital to pay respects to the 39th president, who passed away at the age of 100. The funeral service took place at Washington National Cathedral, marking the culmination of a six-day state funeral.

Prince Edward sat beside Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the solemn ceremony, highlighting the close ties between the Commonwealth nations and the United States. Fan footage shared online showed the Duke paying his respects as Carter’s casket lay in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda earlier in the week.

Carter’s funeral was attended by all five living U.S. presidents, including Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. The former president’s body had previously lain in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before being transported to Washington, D.C., for the state funeral.

Following the service, Carter was buried next to his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, during a private ceremony in Plains, Georgia. Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, did not accompany him on the trip, which was made on behalf of King Charles III.

In a statement released on Dec. 29, 2024, King Charles paid tribute to Carter, calling him “a committed public servant” and praising his dedication to peace and human rights. The King also recalled Carter’s 1977 visit to the United Kingdom, during which he attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Edward’s attendance at the funeral underscored the royal family’s longstanding relationship with the United States. While Prince William, the Prince of Wales, did not attend, opting instead to celebrate his wife Princess Kate‘s 43rd birthday, royal experts noted that Edward’s presence was a carefully considered decision.

Jimmy Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, was the longest-living U.S. president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His funeral marked a historic moment, drawing global attention and honoring his legacy of public service and humanitarian work.