President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who died at the age of 99, but the White House said he is not planning to attend his funeral.
COVID-19 restrictions in England mean funerals are currently limited to 30 people.
Philip is expected to lie at rest in Windsor Castle before a royal ceremonial funeral at St. George’s Chapel on the royal estate.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the president was not currently making plans to attend.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH
“I’m not aware of any plans at this point in time,” she said.
Jill Biden has struck up a friendship with Prince Harry, Philip’s grandson, through their work for wounded soldiers, and her spokesman said she was thinking of him and his family.
“She has a close relationship with Harry, and her heart is with him and the family today,” Michael LaRosa said.
Earlier, the White House issued a statement from the president and first lady.
“Over the course of his 99-year life, he saw our world change dramatically and repeatedly. From his service during World War II, to his 73 years alongside the Queen, and his entire life in the public eye — Prince Philip gladly dedicated himself to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and to his family,” they said.
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“The impact of his decades of devoted public service is evident in the worthy causes he lifted up as patron, in the environmental efforts he championed, in the members of the Armed Forces that he supported, in the young people he inspired, and so much more,” they added.
