Laura Bushvisited the place she once called home to honor her late father-in-law,George H.W. Bush.
On Tuesday, the former first lady, 72, took members of her family, including new son-in-law Craig Coyne, on a tour of the White House, where she and husbandGeorge W. Bushlived during his two terms in office from 2001 to 2009. The visit took place afterMelania Trumpextended an invitation to the Bush family to see this year’s “American Treasures”-themedholiday decorations.
“A sweet visit during this somber week,” Mrs. Bush wrote on Instagram, along with a photo of the 20 relatives who all posed in front of the 41st president’s White House portrait.
“Thanks to Mrs. Trump for inviting our family to the White House to see the Christmas decorations and our old friends, the residence staff,” she continued in her caption.
Also pictured were former first daughter Dorothy Bush Koch as well 41’s grandchildren.
George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Donald Trump, Melania Trump.Andrew Harnik/AP/REX/Shutterstock
After the White House tour, Mrs. Bush joined her husband across the street outside the Blair House where they met with Melania andDonald Trump.
The meeting of past and present presidential couples came hours after Trump announced onTwitterthat they would gather at the official guest residence.
Trump’s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the White House and Blair House meetings.
The ritual and protocol of a state funeral also forced a graciously Bush-style cordiality between his family and President Trump, who has crudely insulted them for years.
“The mean Twitters and the name-calling—Bush found that gauche and that is why Barbara Bush did not want Trump at her funeral,” presidential historian Douglas Brinkley, a Houston friend of the family tells PEOPLE.
But for his own services, Bush recently told his former vice president, Dan Quayle, that Trump would be welcomed. “He mentioned having Trump at his funeral because it is protocol and George had deep respect for the office of the presidency—so he would have it no other way,” Quayle tells PEOPLE. Adds former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, also a friend, Bush “placed a high value on courtesy. He was typical of the World War II generation— humble, gracious and decent.”
Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Trump’s friendship was first formed after the January 2017 inauguration. “I’ve talked to Melania. I’ve been back and had tea with her,” the mother of two toldCNNin November 2017, adding that Melania has “done a lovely job” as first lady and that she is a “wonderful representative for the United States.”
The Bushes have been in Washington D.C. for memorial services honoring the former commander-in-chief, whose body is lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda ahead of private services Wednesday at National Cathedral.
The 41st president’s body will remain on the Lincoln Catafalque in the Capitol Rotunda through 7 a.m. ET Wednesday, as it will stay open to accommodate public mourners.
Bush’s state funeralwill be heldat the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET. In a presidential proclamation, Trump declared that Wednesday would be dedicated to Bush’s memory and that flags should be lowered to half-staff in his honor for 30 days.
source: people.com
