In pictures: Mandela's gala dinner

1 of 8 Heads of states and celebrities from all over the world joined Nelson Mandela at a gala dinner to mark his 85th birthday.

2 of 8 Among the 1,600 stars were some of the world's most famous television and stage stars...

3 of 8 Mr Mandela and his wife received a standing ovation when they arrived at the Sandton Convention Centre.

4 of 8 Inside the banquet hall, huge banners commemorating milestones in Mr Mandela's life were hung from the walls.

5 of 8 Before the banquet began, former US President Bill Clinton praised Mr Mandela as a "gift to humanity".

6 of 8 Rock star Bono and wife Ari brought an Irish flavour to what has been dubbed as "the party of the millennium".

7 of 8 ...so as the Former South African President, F.W. De Klerk, and his wife Elita Georgiades...

8 of 8 The banquet was the culmination of a series of events to honour South Africa's grand statesman.