Mrs Obama on Tuesday described her predecessor as 'a woman of incredible

A White House official confirmed this afternoon that President Barack Obama will not be in attendance at former First Lady Nancy Reagan's funeral on Friday, instead opting to speak at a popular film and music festival in Texas.

Obama will be represented at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library by his wife, Michelle. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she will be attending the service in Simi Valley, California, as well.

In late February, Obama drew widespread criticism after skipping the funeral for conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

The president is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Friday at the South By Southwest festival in Austin. The annual event features movie screenings, musical performances and conferences on interactive media and technology, and has become known as a must-attend date for those in the tech world and Silicon Valley.

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Sitting it out: President Barack Obama won't be attending Friday's funeral for former first lady Nancy Reagan, the White House said Tuesday

A portrait of former first lady Nancy Reagan decorates the doors of the main entrance at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The funeral will be held on Friday at the library

Officers stand to attention and salute as the hearse carrying the coffin of Nancy Reagan is driven away from her home in Bel Air

Nancy Reagan will be transported from the Little Chapel of the Dawn (pictured) to her final resting place at the Reagan Library

Flowers for Nancy: A bouquet is left at the Little Chapel of the Dawn in honor of Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan will be laid to rest next to her late husband, the former President Ronald Reagan. California Highway Patrol are pictured scorting the hearse transporting the former First Lady's body

The news comes just days after the Obamas recalled how Mrs Reagan had been wonderful and gracious to them when they moved into the White House.

President Obama said she ‘had redefined the role’ of First Lady.'

He added: ‘Later, in her long goodbye with President Reagan, she became a voice on behalf of millions of families going through the depleting, aching reality of Alzheimer’s, and took on a new role, as advocate, on behalf of treatments that hold the potential and the promise to improve and save lives.’

During her appearance on Tuesday at Union Market in Washington DC to promote her Let Girls Learn education initiative, Mrs Obama described her late predecessor as 'a woman of incredible strength and grace,' reported ABC News.

'Through the examples she set both during her time in the White House and beyond, Nancy Reagan reminded us of the importance of women's leadership at every level of our society,’ the first lady said in her remarks.

Prior engagement: Instead of attending Mrs Reagan's funeral, President Obama will be speaking at the annual South By Southwest movie, music and technology festival in Austin, Texas

During her appearance on Tuesday at Union Market in Washington DC to promote her Let Girls Learn initiative, Michelle Obama said she was grateful to Nancy Reagan for offering 'advice and encouragement'

‘And on a personal note, Mrs Reagan also understood the value of mentoring. She warmly and willingly offered advice and encouragement to me as I settled into my role as First Lady, and I am so grateful for her kindness and generosity to me and my family over the years, and I hope that our continued work to educate girls worldwide is a fitting tribute to her legacy.’

Michelle Obama is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the South By Southwest festival Wednesday to tout the Let Girls Learn campaign.

The Obamas' participation in the popular event, which drew more than 80,000 attendees last year, was announced last Wednesday, four days before Mrs Reagan passed away from congestive heart failure.

'I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th year than to welcome both the president and first lady to SXSW,' festival co-founder Roland Swenson said last week, according to a report by The Daily Caller.

In his address, President Obama is expected to 'urge the audience to apply their ideas and talents in working with technology for future world issues.'

The Obamas' appearances mark the first time a sitting president and first lady have spoken at the annual gathering.

The Reagan Library announced Monday that Mrs Reagan will lie in repose for public visitation on Wednesday from 1pm to 7pm and Thursday from 10am to 2pm. Transportation to the library will be by shuttle from a bank property in Simi Valley, California.

Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, as it lies in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, June 9, 2004

Friday's funeral starts at 11am and will be closed to the public. Mrs Reagan will be buried at the library alongside her husband, who died on June 5, 2004.

The 94-year-old former First Lady passed away in Bel Air, California, on Sunday after suffering congestive heart failure.

Instead of flowers, Mrs Reagan asked that contributions be made to the library.

Starting as an actress in the 1940s and 1950s, she married Ronald Reagan - then president of the Screen Actors Guild - in 1952.

Mrs Reagan was an influential First Lady during her husband's presidency from 1981 to 1989.

Notably she spearheaded the 'Just Say No' to campaign against drugs, speaking at schools and appearing on TV shows such as Dynasty and Diff'rent Strokes to promote the cause.

'Drugs take away the dream from every child's heart and replace it with a nightmare, and it's time we in America stand up and replace those dreams,' she said in a speech which led to 12,000 Just Say No clubs being set up across the country and a Just Say No Week implemented by Congress.

The former First Lady, who was married to President Ronald Reagan, passed away in Bel Air

A pedestrian passes by the sign at the entrance to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library where some visitors laid flowers on Sunday. Nancy Reagan will be buried at the Library next to her late husband

This sign stands outside the main entrance gate of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California

Her efforts are credited with driving cocaine use down to a 10-year low.

Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

In recent years, Nancy struggled with her health after falling at home and breaking three ribs in 2012, not long after breaking her pelvis at home in 2008.

Despite her own health setbacks, however, Mrs Reagan remained active in politics, particularly in relation to stem-cell research.

On Sunday, President Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W Bush led tribes to the former First Lady.

It is not yet been revealed whether they will attend the funeral.

Friends, relatives and associates along with celebrities took to Twitter to express their sadness over her death.

Despite her own health setbacks Mrs Reagan remained active in politics, particularly in stem-cell research

Michael Reagan, her stepson, tweeted: 'She is once again with the man she loved', while former President George W Bush also spoke about her love for her husband in a statement released on behalf of himself and his wife.

It read: 'Laura and I are saddened by the loss of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Mrs Reagan was fiercely loyal to her beloved husband, and that devotion was matched only by her devotion to our country.

'Her influence on the White House was complete and lasting. During her time as first lady and since, she raised awareness about drug abuse and breast cancer.

'When we moved into the White House, we benefited from her work to make those historic rooms beautiful.

'Laura and I are grateful for the life of Nancy Reagan, and we send our condolences to the entire Reagan family.'

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle paid tribute to the former actress saying that she helped prepare them for life at the White House.

A statement from them said: 'Nancy Reagan once wrote that nothing could prepare you for living in the White House.

Nancy Davis was an actress when she married Ronald Reagan - then president of the Screen Actors Guild - in 1952. Pictured: their wedding, left, and a head shot from a play at Smith College in Massachusetts, right

She married Ronald Reagan in 1952. They served in the White House from 1981 to 1989. Pictured: The couple with their son Ronnie before the presidency (left) and on a 1984 trip to the Great Wall Of China (right)

'She was right, of course. But we had a head start, because we were fortunate to benefit from her proud example, and her warm and generous advice.

'Later, in her long goodbye with President Reagan, she became a voice on behalf of millions of families going through the depleting, aching reality of Alzheimer's, and took on a new role, as advocate, on behalf of treatments that hold the potential and the promise to improve and save lives.'

Former president Bill Clinton also paid to tribute to her releasing a statement which said: 'Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn of Nancy Reagan’s passing.

'Nancy was an extraordinary woman: a gracious First Lady, proud mother, and devoted wife to President Reagan - her Ronnie.

'Her strength of character was legendary, particularly when tested by the attempted assassination of the President, and throughout his battle with Alzheimer's.

'She leaves a remarkable legacy of good that includes her tireless advocacy for Alzheimer’s research and the Foster Grandparent Program.

'We join all Americans in extending our prayers and condolences to her beloved children and her entire family during this difficult time.'