All five living US presidents unite at funeral of Jimmy Carter as Obama and Trump chat ahead of service

9 January 2025, 15:34 | Updated: 9 January 2025, 18:23

All five living US presidents were pictured together on Thursday as they attended the state funeral of Jimmy Carter.

Former President Barack Obama and incoming commander-in-chief Donald Trump were seen chatting as American leaders gathered to pay their respects to Carter.

The one-term president died on December 29 in Plains, Georgia after spending more than a year in a hospice. His death was confirmed by his son - who called him a hero.

Jimmy Carter was the 39th U.S. President, a Democrat, and served in the White House between 1977 and 1981 - but lost a re-election bid to Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Presidents Obama and Trump chat amiably at Jimmy Carter's funeral

Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and Joe Biden all gathered on Thursday to attend his state funeral in Washington D.C.

In surprising scenes, long-time rivals Obama and Trump were pictured laughing and chatting ahead of the ceremony.

Melania Trump also made a rare public appearance alongside her husband, as did former White House hopeful and secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Mr Biden, a long-time Carter ally, delivered a eulogy at the service.

The outgoing President said Mr Carter taught him to treat "everyone with dignity and respect."

"To young people, to anyone in search of meaning and purpose, study the power of Jimmy Carter's example," the president added.

"Character, faith, love - a true patriot."

Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, was also pictured in attendance alongside her husband.

It marks the first time Ms Harris has been pictured alongside Mr Trump since his storming election victory in November.

The UK's Prince Edward and outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also in attendance.

Trump greets Mike Pence as he arrives at Jimmy Carter's funeral

After the funeral, the Boeing 747 that is Air Force One when a sitting president is aboard will carry Mr Carter and his family back to Georgia.

An invitation-only funeral will be held at Maranatha Baptist Church in tiny Plains, Georgia, where he taught Sunday School for decades after leaving office.

Mr Carter will be buried next to his wife in a plot near the home they built before his first state Senate campaign in 1962 and where they lived out their lives with the exception of four years in the Georgia Governor's Mansion and four years in the White House.