Winnie Mandela, ex-wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, has viewed his body as it lies in state at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Hundreds of other dignitaries including his widow Graca Machel, Jacob Zuma, Robert Mugabe and Naomi Campbell are also lining up to pay their respects to the iconic South African anti-apartheid campaigner.
Ms Mandela (L) and Ms Machel say goodbye to the former leader Thousands of South Africans had lined the streets of Pretoria to pay their respects as Mr Mandela's body was taken to lie in state in a glass-topped coffin.
Members of the public formed a guard of honour as his coffin passed by fronted by a fleet of police outriders, at the start of what will be three days of mourning in the executive capital.
President Zuma is followed by Graca Machel (in black) Mandela's widow The coffin was draped in the multi-coloured South African flag as it arrived at the grand setting of the Union Buildings, seat of power in the country's capital and the place where the former leader was sworn in as president.
The same procession around Pretoria will take place each morning until Friday, with the coffin being returned to the military hospital each evening.
As the procession passed, mourners sang tributes to the former South African leader, who died last week at the age of 95.
President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe files past to pay his respects Mandela's grandson Mandla and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula led mourners into the viewing area. Soldiers set down the coffin and removed the flag.
Members of Mr Mandela's family and VIPs are paying their respects before the public are allowed in to view the body.
South African apartheid-era president FW de Klerk bids farewell With worries about crowds, three sites have been set up in Pretoria from where mourners will be shuttled in to the Union Buildings and back.
People making their way to the sites told Sky's Alex Crawford they thanked Mr Mandela for their freedom.
Model Naomi Campbell (L) after paying her final respects to Mr Mandela "South Africa is mourning for the greatest icon that ever lived," one mourner said. "We are sad, we are crying; today we are going to witness him, we are going to see him and we are going to pray for him."
People have been told their mobile phones will have to be switched off and be put out of sight before they will be allowed to file past the body. No photos will be allowed.
A public memorial service was also held at St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London at the request of the South African High Commission.
The two share strong links and were the scene of freedom vigils for Mr Mandela during his incarceration.
Irish band U2's lead singer Bono (2L) and his wife Alison Hewson Speakers at the service included Sir Sydney Kentridge QC and Lord Joffe of Lidington, who both represented Mr Mandela at his treason trials, and campaigner and African National Congress veteran Mama Thembi Nobhadula.
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder of South Africa's Inkatha party, said there was something "unique" about his friendship with Mr Mandela.
The Union Building's amphitheatre where Mr Mandela's coffin lies in state Despite the Inkatha party being at virtual war with Mr Mandela's African National Congress, Chief Buthelezi said he campaigned tirelessly for Mr Mandela's release.
Speaking to Sky's Jeremy Thompson, he said: "That was the mischief of many politicians who separated us. But I thank God they did not succeed because our friendship existed up until this point.
People lined the streets as the hearse made its way through Pretoria "There was something very unique about our friendship. I campaigned for his release more than anyone else in this country. I challenge anyone to prove to the contrary."
The lying in state will end with Mr Mandela's remains being transported to the Eastern Cape and his ancestral home of Qunu at the weekend ahead of his funeral.
Women sing tributes to Mr Mandela as the cortege passes by Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Queen will be represented by the Prince of Wales at the funeral which will take place on Sunday December 15.
Nelson Mandela left it to the South African people to decide how to celebrate his life and legacy.
Mandela: "I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'." He said once when asked how he wished to be remembered: "It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered.
"I'd leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, 'Mandela'."
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