But while some reflected on the remarkable life of Nelson Mandela, some world leaders saw it as the perfect opportunity to grab a quick 'selfie' with their peers - prompting a backlash from web users accusing them of undermining the seriousness of the event.
U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron and Danish leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt grinned as they cosied up for a quick picture at yesterday's memorial service for the former South African president, prompting an outpouring of criticism.
As the trio posed for the mobile phone snap, Obama's wife Michelle sat alongside her husband looking somewhat stony faced.
Her mood didn't improve as Mr Obama and Ms Thorning-Schmidt talked through the order of service and shared a joke.
And it seems that the frosty faced First Lady was so unimpressed with her husband's behaviour that she eventually put an end to the fun.
A photo sequence which later went viral online appears to show Michelle swapping seats to sit between Barack and Ms Thorning-Schmidt.
