Tears as Mandela lies in state

Nelson Mandela's distraught widow was among thousands of mourners who paid their last respects before his open casket Wednesday, as the much-loved leader lay in state.

Graca Machel was covered in a black headdress with her eyes shielded by sunglasses, placed both hands on the raised coffin before turning away disconsolate.

At each end of the casket stood two navy officers clad in white dress uniform, heads bowed, eyes closed and swords pointing downward.

Underneath a perspex screen, Mandela lay, dressed in a printed brown shirt of the type that became his trademark. 

Later, presidents, royalty and thousands of South Africans made their own pilgrimage.

Some stopped briefly to pray, some bowed, some brushed against the rope balustrade to get a closer look at the mortal remains of a man who had earned a place in history long before his death.

Some collapsed, felled by the weight of their grief, before being helped away by medical personnel or fellow onlookers.