Trump holds private memorial service for his brother, Robert Trump, at White House

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Robert Trump, President Trump's brother, dies

Robert Trump, President Trump's brother and Trump Organization executive, has died after an illness.

President Trump and his family celebrated the life of his brother, Robert Trump, during a private service at the White House on Friday afternoon.

The president and first lady were seen walking down the North Portico steps after Robert Trump's casket and watched as he was placed in the hearse and driven away.

"Robert, I Love You. Rest In Peace!" the president tweeted Friday.

With bagpipes playing, the president and first lady Melania Trump followed his brother's casket to a waiting hearse in the late afternoon. They stood at attention and held hands for a couple of moments as the casket was placed inside. A few dozen family and friends stood nearby on the White House steps. As the hearse drove away, the president and first lady returned to the residence and some in the group embraced.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands as they watch people carry the casket of Robert Trump out of the White House after a memorial service for the president's younger brother on Friday, Aug 21, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

ROBERT TRUMP, BROTHER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, DEAD AT 71

Robert Trump, a businessman, died Saturday after being hospitalized in New York. The president had visited his brother in the hospital the night before his death.

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight," the president wrote in an official White House statement. "He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever.”

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hold hands after the casket of Robert Trump was loaded into the hearse after a memorial service for the president's younger brother at the White House on Friday, Aug 21, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Robert Trump began his career on Wall Street working in corporate finance but later joined the family business, managing real estate holdings as a top executive in the Trump Organization.

Earlier in the week, the president said his family would hold “a small service here at the White House for my brother."

"I think it would be a great honor to him. He loves our country so much," Trump said. "He would be so proud."

He added: "I think it'd be appropriate."

Fox News’ Brooke Singman, Kristina Biddle and The Associated Press contributed to this report.