Qunu - There was a marked silence on Sunday morning at the domed funeral venue in Qunu in the Eastern Cape as footage of the military procession in which Nelson Mandela's coffin was being transported was aired.
A band inside the venue stopped playing once the army marching band approached.
Inside the venue guests took pictures and even videos of a screen showing the flag-draped coffin borne on top of a gun carriage accompanied by military personnel as it was transported on a dusty road from the Mandela homestead.
Earlier guests lined the red-carpeted entrance to the venue, while statesmen, politicians and royalty continued to arrived.
ANC Women's League members greeted the guests with song.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe arrived shortly after 7.30am, shaking hands and greeting various guests, including ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale.
Motlanthe was dressed in a black suit, an Aids ribbon pinned to the lapel.
He took his seat next to former president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele.
Earlier, Britain's Prince Charles arrived, dressed in a blue suit, and took sat next to former Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Sitting in front of them was Monaco's Prince Albert.
Security was tight near the VIP guests.- Sapa