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Madeleine Albright funeral: 5 things to know as nation mourns former secretary of state

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of mourners will pay tribute to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during her funeral Wednesday.

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Here are five things you need to know about the service for Albright, who died last month:

1. When and where will the funeral be held?

About 1,400 people are expected to attend the invitation-only service, which begins at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., according to The Associated Press.

“Secretary Albright was a trailblazing diplomat, a fierce advocate for women and a dear friend of this cathedral,” the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, said in a statement earlier this month. “We look forward to not only celebrating her legendary accomplishments, but also to recalling the deep and abiding faith that shaped the extraordinary story of this beloved child of God.”

2. How can I watch?

The cathedral is providing a livestream of the service on YouTube. Click here to watch.

Viewers can follow along by downloading the funeral leaflet here.

3. Who will speak?

President Joe Biden is slated to deliver the eulogy during the funeral, which also will feature tributes from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Albright’s three daughters, Anne, Alice and Katharine, according to the cathedral. Other prominent figures expected to attend include former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, current Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and former Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice and John Kerry, the AP reported.

4. When and how did Albright die?

Albright died March 23 following a battle with cancer, her family said in a statement at the time. She was 84.

“She was surrounded by family and friends,” the statement read. “We have lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.”

>> RELATED STORY: Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dies at 84

Following the announcement, leaders from both major political parties paid tribute to Albright.

>> RELATED STORY: ‘She served with distinction’: World reacts to death of Madeleine Albright

5. What were some of her noteworthy accomplishments?

Albright, who served as secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 under then-President Bill Clinton, was the first woman to hold the post, according to the U.S. State Department. During her tenure, she promoted the expansion of NATO into the former Soviet bloc nations.

Before she became secretary of state, Albright served as the ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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