Farwell to a King

Afghanistan mourns the loss of its former king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, who died in his bed at age 92 after a long illness. Government offices are closed and flags are flying at half-staff for the man whose reign was one of the most peaceful in the war-torn nation's history.

Zahir Shah's wooden coffin, shrouded with the red, green and black flag of Afghanistan, was first placed under the shade of pine trees at the presidential palace grounds where Afghan politicians, tribal elders, royal family members and international dignitaries paid their respects.

The coffin was then taken to the Eid Gah Mosque where a short prayer was read. Participants, including senior army and police officers and thousands of common citizens, sympathized with relatives of the former monarch and offered prayers for the departed soul.

Elders pay their last respect to the flag-covered coffin of Afghanistan's former king Mohammed Zahir Shah.

The coffin was then pulled to Tapa Maranjan, where dozens of ornate, red carpets had been laid on the ground and the bullet-pocked mausoleum was covered in black. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and a small entourage descended into the tomb to see Zahir Shah's final resting place next to his father.