George HW Bush funeral: Former US president mourned in poignant Washington DC ceremony

"The last of the soldier-statesman."

That was the description biographer Jon Meacham gave of George HW Bush at a packed National Cathedral in Washington.

In the crowd, President Donald Trump and all four living former Presidents including George W Bush.

“Last Friday, when I was told he had minutes to live, I called him,” George Bush Jnr said.

George HW Bush' funeral as it happened

"I said, 'Dad, I love you, and you've been a wonderful father.’

"The last words he would ever say on Earth were, I love you, too.”

Earlier the 41st President’s casket had been carried through the city from the Capitol building where 42,000 Americans had paid their respects in the last two days.

The procession travelled up Pennsylvania Avenue (known as America’s Main St), passing by the White House one final time.

9News Gallery: George HW BushGeorge HW Bush

George HW Bush spent 12 years working from the White House, eight as Ronald Reagan’s Vice-President, four more in the Oval Office.

He lead the nation during a time of global upheaval with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communism.

“The reunification of Germany could not have succeeded without the leadership of George HW Bush,” former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was in the crowd.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the former President’s body was flown to his home state of Texas, where he will he buried alongside his wife Barbara tomorrow.

The pair were married for 73 years, numerous speakers today marvelling at their devotion to each other and to their faith after losing their three-year-old daughter Robin to leukaemia.

“The best father a son or daughter could have,” George W Bush said through sobs at the conclusion of his eulogy.

“And in our grief, I just smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mum’s hand again.”