Nelson Mandela: Route to lying in state

People in Pretoria lined the streets as Nelson Mandela's body was driven through the city to lie in state at the Union Buildings, the South African seat of government. Mr Mandela's body is being transported there at 07:00 local time on three successive mornings, before public viewings each day. On Saturday, the former president's body will be flown to the Eastern Cape. He will be laid to rest in Qunu, where he grew up, on Sunday.

Satellite image of route in Pretoria
Police outriders escort the car carrying Mandela's coffin from the military hospital.

Wednesday's procession taking Nelson Mandela's body to Union Buildings left the Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT).

Aerial view of procession passing along

Crowds lined the route along Pretoria's Madiba Street.

People singing and dancing

There was a mood of celebration on the streets, with people singing and dancing before the procession passed.

Nelson Mandela's coffin arrives at Union Buildings

The coffin arrived at Union Buildings with a military escort. Among the first to file past the body were Mr Mandela's second wife, Winnie and President Jacob Zuma.

Thousands of people are waiting to view the former president as he lies in state at Union Buildings

Members of the public queued outside the Union Buildings to view Nelson Mandela's open casket.

Pretoria show grounds

The queues returned on Thursday - with people queuing at the Pretoria show grounds for buses to take them to the Union Buildings.