Tears as Mandela lies in state

Nelson Mandela's tearful widow was among scores of family and dignitaries who stopped to pay their last respects before Nelson Mandela's open casket Wednesday, as the celebrated leader lay in state.

Clad in a black head-dress, Graca Machel stood in silence before the raised coffin, which was guarded at each end by two navy officers clad in white dress uniform, heads bowed and with swords pointing downward.

Later presidents and royalty made their 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 in his lifetime forged a powerful political legacy.

Among the dignitaries were Mandela's former political foe FW de Klerk, musician and activist Bono and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.