The body of former South African president Nelson Mandela is lying in state at Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Thousands of people lined the streets this morning as the procession of police motorcycles led the black hearse carrying Mr Mandela's coffin, draped in the South African flag.
Over the next three days, thousands more are expected to file past his remains at Union Buildings, where he was inaugurated as president in 1994.
President Michael D Higgins will speak on behalf of EU leaders at an event in Pretoria today, hosted by South African President Jacob Zuma.
President Higgins and his wife Sabina paid their respects to Mr Mandela this morning.
South Africans have been mourning and celebrating the life of their first black president, who died last Thursday at the age of 95.
The cortege travelled from a military hospital where it was received by Mr Mandela's grandson Mandla before being placed in a specially constructed marquee.
Each day, people are being encouraged to line the route as the late president's remains are brought to the seat of government.
Last night, the government confirmed the route the cortege will take each morning between now and Friday.
"This is a significant moment for me and my children," said teacher Thapelo Dlamini, 48, who had been waiting on the street for two hours with his two children.
Traffic in Pretoria was gridlocked from early morning and shops along the procession route were closed.
Only family and invited guests were allowed view the remains this morning, but the public are being allowed file through this afternoon.
Among those who filed past the casket earlier were singer Bono, model Naomi Campbell and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
FW de Klerk, South Africa's last white president who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mr Mandela, appeared to wipe away a tear as he passed the coffin.
Tomorrow and Friday, members of the public will be allowed to view the remains all day.
This is the last chance the public has to take part in the events to mark Mr Mandela's passing.
On Saturday, his remains will be flown to the Eastern Cape from the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria.
A state funeral will take place on Sunday in his native Qunu, 700km south of Johannesburg, bringing ten days of mourning to an end.
South African media is estimating that up to 70,000 people could travel to Qunu for the funeral.
Weather conditions in the Eastern Cape are disrupting preparations for the weekend funeral, but conditions are expected to improve in the coming days.
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