Jimmy Carter funeral live: Biden praises former president's character

Summary

Jimmy Carter's casket is making its final journey home to Georgia after the former president's state funeral was held in Washington
You can watch coverage of the journey to Georgia and the funeral at the top of this page
The five living presidents Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton were among those to pay their respects
Delivering the eulogy, Biden says Carter made a "powerful difference" and established a "model post-presidency"
As our North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher notes, Biden's speech focused on Carter's character and faith
Carter, who was president from 1977 to 1981, died in December aged 100

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Watch: Processions and presidents at Carter's state funeral

Live Reporting

Edited by Caitlin Wilson in Washington DC

Former President Jimmy Carter's funeral service takes place on freezing winter daypublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Getty Images
Former US President Jimmy Carter's state funeral at Washington National Cathedral has just ended. Let's take a look at how the service unfolded and what is next:
- President Joe Biden praised Carter's "character" and said he "misses" his friend in a moving eulogy
- Several of Carter's grandchildren paid tribute to the former president, with one saying his grandfather "waged peace with love and respect"
- The sons of Carter's Vice-president Walter Mondale and former President Gerald Ford both read out words written by their fathers
- Carter's ambassador to the EU, Stuart Eizenstat, praised the former president's "integrity"
- Former UN Ambassador Andrew Young gave a homily, praising Carter's ability to "achieve greatness by the diversity of his personality and his upbringing"
Carter's casket is currently being flown to his hometown in Georgia, where the former president will be buried in a private family ceremony.
We are now ending our live coverage. You can watch a recap of the state funeral here.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Jimmy Carter's state funeral - in picturespublished at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time
The casket of President Jimmy Carter was transported from the US Capitol rotunda on Thursday morning ahead of his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral before being flown back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried later today.
Here is how the morning went, in pictures:
Image source, Getty Images
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The flag-draped casket of President Jimmy Carter was carried out of the US Capitol rotunda by a joint military service honour guard
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His casket was then loaded into a hearse waiting outside to transport him to the Washington National Cathedral, where his state funeral will be held
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Meanwhile, several dignitaries, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took their seats at the Cathedral as they awaited for the service to start
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Also in attendance is vice-president-elect JD Vance
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President Joe Biden eulogised President Carter
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Biden touched on Carter's character and faith
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Every living president and first lady, except Michelle Obama, attended Carter's funeral in Washington.
WATCH: Biden praises Jimmy Carter's example at state funeralpublished at 19:15 Greenwich Mean Time
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Watch: President Biden praises Jimmy Carter's example at state funeral
On a cold winter's day, members of the most exclusive club gather to say goodbyepublished at 19:04 Greenwich Mean Time
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent
The American presidency is perhaps the most exclusive club in the world. On Thursday morning, that club gathered at Washington National Cathedral to send off one of their own.
It’s no small irony that the ceremony was full of the kind of presidential pomp and pageantry that Jimmy Carter shunned when he was president. But while today’s memorial service was a celebration of the 39th president, it was also a chance for the politicians, government officials and dignitaries who have run - and will carry on running - America to gather and pause to catch their breath.
The outgoing president Joe Biden gave the eulogy. The once and future president Donald Trump sat behind him in the centre row of pews. The two women he defeated for the highest office - Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris - were within arm's reach.
When it comes to the highest circles of power in America, it can be a very small world.
And at least for a few hours, there were no nasty remarks. No recriminations. No partisan digs. Just a flag-draped casket, a choir and a series of solemn speeches on a cold winter's day.
Human connection Carter shared with others defined him, grandson sayspublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time
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Watch: What was Jimmy Carter like as a grandfather?
A few days ago, Jason Carter, the grandson of Jimmy Carter, spoke the BBC about the "outpouring of love and support" his family has received since the former US president's death.
Jason, a lawyer and politician, says the family "almost can't walk down the street right now" without being stopped by strangers, who tell them how "they're praying for us or how much they love my grandfather".
"That human connection that he had with so many people, I think, really has defined him," he told the BBC on Monday.
Jason says his family gathered together over the New Year break and shared stories about Carter doing "all the things a grandfather would normally do".
"My stories of him are about fishing or learning from him in his woodshop," he explains. "In these last few days, we've recognised him as this global leader, but for us it's really been more personal stories that have been driving our thoughts."
Carter makes his final journey to his hometown in Georgiapublished at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Getty Images
A plane carrying the casket of Jimmy Carter to his hometown in Georgia has just taken off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, near Washington.
President Carter's body is being flown aboard Special Air Mission 39. His final destination will be Plains, Georgia, where he will be buried next to his wife, Rosalynn, at his family's peanut farm.
As his body was carried to the aircraft loader, the US Air Force Band played O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.
The Special Honour Guard will render their final salute to the late president as the lane departs.
Image source, Getty Images
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President Carter's casket arriving at Joint Base Andrews
Image source, Getty Images
Former US President Jimmy Carter died last month, aged 100published at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time
On 29 December, Jimmy Carter’s foundation the Carter Center announced that the former US President had died.
Carter served as the 39th president from 1977 until 1981.
He was aged 100, making him the longest-lived president in US history.
During his tenure as president Carter faced a spate of foreign policy challenges and the Democrat was defeated in his re-election bid by Ronald Reagan.
In 2023, it was announced that he would receive hospice care at home, following the end of his medical treatment.
Carter had been suffering health issues, including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain.
How Carter celebrated his final birthdaypublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Just months ago, the Carter family celebrated the former president's 100th birthday.
To honour the occasion, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity - the housing charity Carter has worked with for 40 years - built 30 homes in Minnesota in October.
Several events were organised in Plains, the former Georgia governor's hometown, to mark the 1 October milestone, including a US naturalisation ceremony for 100 people from 30 separate countries.
A star-studded concert also was held in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month to celebrate the 39th president and to raise funds for the Carter Center.
"It was an incredible evening, full of good music and heartfelt tributes, and it made history as the first-ever 100th birthday celebration for a living American president," Carter said at the time.
The concert, which raised more than $1.2m (£900,000) also featured recorded messages wishing him well from other presidents.
Carter as a peacemaker and Nobel Peace Prize winnerpublished at 18:13 Greenwich Mean Time
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Cuban President Fidel Castro watches former US President Jimmy Carter throw a baseball prior to the start of a a friendly baseball match in Havana between two Cuban teams, 14 May 14 2002
When he left office, Carter had one of the lowest approval ratings of any US president – but in subsequent years, he did much to restore his reputation.
Carter went on a peace mission to North Korea on behalf of the US government, which resulted in an early effort to reach an agreement on dismantling its nuclear arsenal.
His library, the Carter Presidential Center, became an influential clearing house of ideas and programmes intended to solve international problems and crises.
In 2002, Carter became the third US president, after Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, to win the Nobel Peace Prize - and the only one to earn it for his post-presidency work.
Struggles and triumphs of the Carter administrationpublished at 18:10 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Getty Images
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Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (L), President Jimmy Carter (C), and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin (R) join hands after the Camp David Accords, 18 September 1978
While Jimmy Carter often is remembered fondly, his time in office was not without problems and controversies.
His popularity fell sharply when the US suffered an energy crisis in 1979 and the economy slipped into a recession the following year.
He tried to persuade Americans to accept stringent measures to deal with the energy crisis - including gasoline rationing - but faced bitter opposition in Congress.
Plans to introduce a universal healthcare system also struggled, while unemployment and interest rates soared.
However there were achievements, too.
His Middle East policy began in triumph in 1978, when Egypt formally recognised the state of Israel.
A year later, he signed the SALT Two agreement with the Soviet Union, setting limits for strategic arms.
But success abroad was short-lived.
His administration was severely tested with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the revolution in Iran, which led to 66 Americans being held hostage for more than a year.
When he left office, Carter had one of the lowest approval ratings of any US president.
He ran for re-election in 1980 and was beaten in a landslide by Republican Ronald Reagan.
The young Jimmy Carterpublished at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time
Let's take a look back at the life of Jimmy Carter.
The former president was born on 1 October 1924 as James Earl Carter Jr, in the small town of Plains, Georgia. He was the eldest of four children. His father ran a family peanut business, and his mother, Lillian, was a registered nurse.
Image source, Getty Images
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A portrait of President Jimmy Carter as a young boy with his sister Gloria
In high school, he was a star basketball player, and then spent seven years in the US Navy - during which time he married Rosalynn.
Image source, Jimmy Carter Library
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Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter on their wedding day, 7th July 1946
Carter was reportedly devastated when he had to resign from the US Navy when his father died in 1953, and he was forced to run the family’s struggling farm.
But he managed to turn the business around, becoming quite wealthy in the process.
Image source, Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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Jimmy Carter shovelling peanuts on a peanut farm in the 1970s
Carter's lying in state - in picturespublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time
While we wait for Carter's motorcade to arrive at Joint Base Andrews from the National Cathedral, we can take a look back at the former president lying in state at the Capitol over the last few days.
Thousands visited the US Capitol to say their final goodbyes to President Jimmy Carter during his two-day Lying in State period, which came to an end earlier this morning before the funeral.
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The body of President Jimmy Carter lay in place in the rotunda at the US Capitol, his casket draped in the American flag.
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A book of condolences was set up for people to sign ahead of President Carter's casket entering the Capitol rotunda
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A ceremony was held for President Carter after his body arrived at the US Capitol, which was attended by several lawmakers, including former Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, pictured here
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A line of mourners stretched outside the US Capitol on Tuesday, as many waited patiently in the cold to get a chance to say their goodbyes to President Carter
Image source, Reuters
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Thousands dropped by to pay tribute to the former president in person during the Lying in State period
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A long queue formed in the snow near the Visitor Center on Wednesday evening
After funeral, Al Sharpton applauds Carter for 'great strides' for racial reconciliationpublished at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Getty Images
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton has spoken to the BBC now, after Jimmy Carter's funeral service.
Sharpton calls the funeral a "very moving service", and applauds President Joe Biden for delivering a "very strong eulogy".
But Sharpton says he was most moved by the remarks given by former US ambassador to the United Nations under President Carter, Andrew Young, who Sharpton describes as a mentor.
"When Ambassador Young talked about how this man from Plains, Georgia, whose father [was a] segregationist - and he ended up being one that helped up to bring such racial justice", Sharpton says of Carter.
Carter nominated Andrew Young to be US ambassador to the UN, Sharpton says, the first black man to be in that position.
"And he did other breakthroughs like that," Sharpton says. "The healing and the racial reconciliation of Jimmy Carter is very important to underscore."
Motorcade heads to planepublished at 17:44 Greenwich Mean Time
Jimmy Carter's casket is now being driven in a motorcade from the National Cathedral to Joint Base Andrews, near Washington, to be flown to Georgia, where the former president will be buried in a private family ceremony.
Guests and leaders shake hands as they leave the cathedralpublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time
Before Carter's casket was taken out of the church, several of five living US presidents attendeding Jimmy Carter's state funeral, as well as vice presidents like Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, exchanged looks or words as they prepared to leave the National Cathedral.
As the ceremony concludes, the camera has captured Democratic former president Barack Obama greeting and speaking with Harris, who ran as the Democratic nominee in the November election. Obama had campaigned for Harris in the lead up to Election Day.
As he exited the cathedral, US president Joe Biden was also seen shaking hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Carter funeral ends with departure ceremonypublished at 17:32 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Reuters
The state funeral of President Jimmy Carter has just ended.
His casket, draped with the American flag, was moved down the aisle by a precession. Outside of the Cathedral halls, a departure ceremony - including the playing of Faith of Our Fathers by the US Coast Guard Band - sends the late president off as his casket is loaded into a hearse.
Image source, Reuters
Carter's body will then be driven to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where it will board a military plane for his final journey home to Georgia, where he will be buried.
Image source, Reuters
Hail to the Chief sounds again as casket leaves cathedralpublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time
Iona Hampson
Reporting from Washington
Hail to the Chief sounds again as Jimmy Carter's casket comes outside the National Cathedral.
Biden shakes hands with Trudeau as he leaves cathedralpublished at 17:22 Greenwich Mean Time
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent, reporting from Washington National Cathedral
Image source, Getty Images
As Joe Biden exits the building, he stops to shake hands with Prince Edward, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the other front-row foreign dignitaries.
Trudeau and Biden are just two of the many incumbent world leaders who have seen their political fortunes take a turn for the worse in recent years.
Carter's casket carried out of cathedralpublished at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time
Anthony Zurcher
BBC North America correspondent reporting from Washington National Cathedral
As Jimmy Carter's memorial services draws to a close, the same military retinue that brought the former president's casket into the cathedral is carrying it out and into the bitter cold and wind of this winter day.
The building is ringing with the notes of the cathedral's 10,647-pipe Great Organ.
Carter's state funeral draws to a closepublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time
Image source, Getty Images
Just under two hours after Carter's casket entered the National Cathedral in Washington, the former president's state funeral is coming to an end.
The religious officiants in the room mark the end of proceedings, gathering by Carter's coffin and reciting a prayer.
It is then lifted by military members, who begin to carry the former president back out of the church, between congregation members who stand as he passes.
His remains will shortly be transported to Georgia, where he will be laid to rest.
Image source, Getty Images