Tens of thousands of people gathered at Stormont today as Belfast paid its last respects to its most famous footballing son, George Best.
Admirers came from all parts of Ireland, the United Kingdom and further afield to pay tribute to a player regarded by many of his contemporaries as one of the finest of all time.
For security reasons, only 32,000 people were allowed into the grounds around Parliament Buildings, while 300 guests inside joined Best's son Calum, father Dickie, his brothers and sisters and two former wives, Angie and Alex for a ceremony akin to a state funeral.
Team-mates from his playing days at Manchester United and Northern Ireland also attended the ceremony, including his close friend Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton, Paddy Crerand and Harry Gregg.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Northern Ireland counterpart Lawrie Sanchez, former international boss Billy Bingham and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson also attended.
On his arrival Sanchez said: "He was Northern Ireland's boy. It is a sad day on one part but hopefully people will remember what a great player he was. I'm just old enough to remember the end of his career. He was a great person. We have got to remember what a great player he was."
He added on Sky News: "He was a Belfast boy and it is right they come out today."
Some fans began their pilgrimage in Belfast city centre, gathering outside the City Hall which has hosted a shrine over the past week to the 59-year-old football genius.
Scarves were tied to the gates of City Hall and candles lit among the rain drenched football shirts and flags. There were also personal messages to the Northern Ireland international.
Bus shelters in east Belfast also paid tribute to the footballer who honed his skills on the Cregagh estate, with special posters in the red of Manchester United emblazoned with the number seven and the green of Northern Ireland with the number 11, declaring 'The Best from Belfast'.
Wreaths were placed at the foot of Parliament Buildings from leading figures in the worlds of politics, sport and entertainment, and from the Royal family.
Among them were tributes from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and members of his government and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.
A football-shaped wreath was sent from Old Trafford and there were also tributes from the Edinburgh club Hibernian where he played between 1979 and 1980, Peterborough and the Jersey branch of the Manchester United supporters club.
Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke also sent a wreath and there was a floral tribute from one of east Belfast's other famous sons, the singer-songwriter Van Morrison.
