The former US president George HW Bush has been hailed at his state funeral as a World War II hero, Cold War veteran and architect of a US victory against Iraq, who went on to represent a bygone era of civility in American politics.
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Amid an unusual bipartisan spirit at the Washington National Cathedral service, both Republican and Democratic politicians have honoured a president who called for a "kinder, gentler" nation.
Bush, the 41st US president, died last week in Texas aged 94.
He occupied the White House from 1989 to 1993, navigated the collapse of the Soviet Union and expelled former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's forces from oil-rich Kuwait.
"George HW Bush was America's last great soldier-statesman," presidential biographer Jon Meacham said in eulogy.
"He stood in the breach in the Cold War against totalitarianism. He stood in the breach in Washington against unthinking partisanship," Meacham said.
George W Bush said his father "valued character over pedigree, and he was no cynic".
"He'd look for the good in each person, and he usually found it," Bush Jr said in his eulogy.
"The best father a son or daughter could ever have," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.
Washington's current political feuds were briefly set aside in honour of the late president, a naval aviator who survived being shot down by Japanese forces over the Pacific Ocean in World War II, and former head of the CIA.
President Donald Trump shook hands with his predecessor Barack Obama, who he has often sharply criticised, as he took his seat at the cathedral.
Democratic former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 election opponent, and her husband Bill Clinton shared the front pew with Obama, Trump and their spouses.
Bush was remembered as a patrician figure who represented an earlier era of civility in American politics.
Canadian former prime minister Brian Mulroney lauded Bush's role in handling the end of the Cold War and helping the tricky reunification of Germany.
"When George Bush was president of the United States of America, every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave," Mulroney said in his eulogy.
All surviving former US presidents were at the cathedral along with their wives.
The guest list included Britain's Prince Charles, Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, and leaders of Germany, Jordan and Poland.
Also in attendance were a host of former world leaders, such as former British prime minister John Major, who was in office during Bush's term.
Hundreds of people lined Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington to watch a hearse drive Bush's coffin from Capitol Hill, where he had lain in state since Monday night, toward the cathedral on Wednesday morning.
Thousands had filed past Bush's body to pay their respects in the Capitol Rotunda, some getting a chance to see Sully, a service dog who was Bush's friendly companion.
Australian Associated Press