This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46449644
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| George HW Bush funeral: Four presidents sat (awkwardly) on one pew | George HW Bush funeral: Four presidents sat (awkwardly) on one pew |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| They shared a total of 22 years spent living in the White House - and a wooden pew in the National Cathedral for the memorial service of George HW Bush. | They shared a total of 22 years spent living in the White House - and a wooden pew in the National Cathedral for the memorial service of George HW Bush. |
| It's not often that so many commanders-in-chief, present and past, are gathered in one place. | It's not often that so many commanders-in-chief, present and past, are gathered in one place. |
| Usually at the funerals of presidents or the opening of presidential libraries. | Usually at the funerals of presidents or the opening of presidential libraries. |
| At the state funeral of the 41st president of the United States in Washington on Wednesday, there were four together in the front row. | At the state funeral of the 41st president of the United States in Washington on Wednesday, there were four together in the front row. |
| When George W Bush arrived and took his place on the other side of the nave, he brought that total to five, and their total years of service running the country to 30. | When George W Bush arrived and took his place on the other side of the nave, he brought that total to five, and their total years of service running the country to 30. |
| The significance of the moment was not lost on some. | The significance of the moment was not lost on some. |
| And let's not forget the vice-presidents gathered too. | And let's not forget the vice-presidents gathered too. |
| Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer noted that every living VP since 1977 was present. | Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer noted that every living VP since 1977 was present. |
| The handshakes and non-handshakes | The handshakes and non-handshakes |
| President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were the last to arrive. As they took their places at the front pew, they shook hands with the Obamas next to them. | President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were the last to arrive. As they took their places at the front pew, they shook hands with the Obamas next to them. |
| Oh, to know what was going through Michelle Obama's mind as she politely but stiffly greeted Mr Trump. | |
| She recently said in an interview that the birther conspiracy theory pushed by him - falsely claiming Barack Obama was not born in the US - was something she would never forgive him for. | |
| There was no public handshake between Hillary Clinton, who was sat on the other side of the Obamas, and Donald Trump. | There was no public handshake between Hillary Clinton, who was sat on the other side of the Obamas, and Donald Trump. |
| She looked straight ahead and there appeared to be no eye contact between her and her former opponent, in their first meeting since his inauguration. | |
| The 2016 election campaign was marked by acrimony between the two candidates, with the Republican calling for her imprisonment over her use of a private email server. | |
| "Lock her up" became a chant at Trump rallies during the campaign and his presidency. | "Lock her up" became a chant at Trump rallies during the campaign and his presidency. |
| But First Lady Melania Trump shook Bill Clinton's hand and gave a wave to Mrs Clinton, who nodded her appreciation. | But First Lady Melania Trump shook Bill Clinton's hand and gave a wave to Mrs Clinton, who nodded her appreciation. |
| Then along comes another president | Then along comes another president |
| George W Bush arrived and shook hands with each of the occupants in the front row. | George W Bush arrived and shook hands with each of the occupants in the front row. |
| He seemed to slip something to Michelle Obama - perhaps another sweet, as he did at the memorial service of John McCain. | He seemed to slip something to Michelle Obama - perhaps another sweet, as he did at the memorial service of John McCain. |
| All thought of bad blood between the Trumps and Bushes was forgotten for this occasion, which amounted to a celebration of a president, father and war hero. | All thought of bad blood between the Trumps and Bushes was forgotten for this occasion, which amounted to a celebration of a president, father and war hero. |
| Donald Trump has in the past mocked "low energy" Jeb Bush and derided the presidency of George W Bush. | Donald Trump has in the past mocked "low energy" Jeb Bush and derided the presidency of George W Bush. |
| But this week he has been fulsome in his praise for Bush the elder, and sent one of his iconic presidential jets to deliver the casket from Texas. | But this week he has been fulsome in his praise for Bush the elder, and sent one of his iconic presidential jets to deliver the casket from Texas. |
| George HW Bush himself reportedly wanted the the current occupant of the White House - excluded from the memorial service of Senator John McCain - to be present. | George HW Bush himself reportedly wanted the the current occupant of the White House - excluded from the memorial service of Senator John McCain - to be present. |
| Other occasions where presidents gathered | Other occasions where presidents gathered |
| The New York Times has looked at other moments in recent times when leaders of the US were together: | The New York Times has looked at other moments in recent times when leaders of the US were together: |