As customary with former presidents, Jimmy Carter’s funeral has brought a who’s who list of national leaders to the National Cathedral in Washington who came to honor to the 39th commander-in-chief on Thursday.

The church’s first two pews were filled by former presidents and their spouses, including President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, along with President-elect Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, in the front row.

But noticeably absent was former first lady Michelle Obama, whose office did not provide details on why she skipped the proceedings.

“Former First Lady Michelle Obama is not in attendance at President Carter’s National Funeral Service,” spokeswoman Crystal Carson said in a statement to USA TODAY. “Mrs. Obama sends her thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from the remarkable former president.”

CNN reported Michelle Obama had “scheduling conflicts” Thursday and remains in Hawaii.

During the 2024 presidential campaign Michelle Obama, who many Democrats wanted to run for president, ripped Trump at various points. So did her husband, former President Barack Obama, who could be seen conversing, smiling and laughing with Trump, his White House successor, for several minutes before the start of Carter’s funeral.

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