The body of iconic former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died last night aged 95, has been moved from his home in Johannesburg, and taken to the capital, Pretoria, where his funeral is expected to take place in just over a week.

Mandela’s body was moved to a military hospital in Pretoria this morning and is reportedly under armed guard.

South African embassies across the world have laid out books of condolences for people to sign in tribute to one of the most famous men of the twentieth century.

Over six million tweets of tribute have been posted as people take to Twitter to share their own memories and condolences to the iconic Mandela.

Flags are flying at half mast around the world while Mandela is taken to lie in state for three days in the capital Pretoria.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has declared three days mourning, just as has Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In the United States of America, President Barack Obama has ordered flags flown at half-staff until sunset Monday.

Indications are that Mandela’s state funeral will be the biggest the world has ever seen. South Africa is preparing for the huge service on Saturday which will see world leaders, royalty, foreign dignitaries and celebrities join in mourning for the anti-apartheid hero.

•Photo shows the hearse conveying Mandela’s body to a military hospital in Pretoria.