Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to the media outside the Staples Center before the Michael Jackson memorial in Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Matt Sayles/Associated Press)

The Michael Jackson public memorial in Los Angeles has been delayed at least 30 minutes from its original start time of 10 a.m. PT Tuesday.

The casket carrying the body of the king of pop has just arrived at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where hundreds of thousands of fans have gathered to honour the late singer.

Hours before the public service, family members and close friends held a half-hour private funeral for the pop icon, whose body was found June 25 in his L.A. home. They were taken via motorcade, along with the hearse carrying the casket, from the Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills to the public memorial in downtown L.A.

Although only 8,750 people were chosen to receive two tickets each for the star-studded service at the public memorial, the Los Angeles Police Department was bracing for a huge fan turnout, with perhaps hundreds of thousands of people.

Thousands of extra officers were set to handle overflowing crowds despite police warnings that those without tickets for the event should stay away because they would not be able to get close to the centre.

People from around the world were said to be flying in to take part in the tribute to the pop icon, who died at 50 before he was to headline a series of 50 concerts in London, England, later in July.

British Airways has reported a surge of bookings over the weekend, while Virgin says its transatlantic routes to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been packed.

Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey among stars in tribute

More than 1.6 million people had registered for free tickets to the memorial. Some of those tickets were selling online for thousands of dollars.

Michael Jackson, shown in March in London announcing plans to headline concerts in the British city starting in July, is being remembered by fans around the world following his death last month in L.A. at age 50. (Joel Ryan/Associated Press)

Fans must have a wristband and ticket to enter the Staples Center. However, those selected in the lottery can give anyone their second bracelet.

Venues around the world were set to broadcast the event, which had been slated to begin at 1 p.m. ET.

CBC Newsworld is broadcasting the memorial. CBCNews.ca started streaming at 1 p.m. ET. Viewers are also invited to join a live chat to share their thoughts.

Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Hudson are among the stars scheduled to pay tribute to Jackson.

Other singers involved in the tribute, which will feature performances of some of Jackson's greatest hits, include John Mayer, Usher and Lionel Richie.

Also on the list are L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant, actress Brooke Shields, Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice, and Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Initially, Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, had said she would attend the public memorial, but has since backed out. A spokesperson for Rowe said the media attention would be an "unnecessary distraction."

Jackson's good friend, actress Elizabeth Taylor, will also be mourning in private. She said on her Twitter feed that she won't attend the memorial because she doesn't believe Jackson would want her to share her grief with millions of others.

And the man credited with helping Jackson launch a lucrative solo career, Quincy Jones, said he could not go simply because it had been too painful attending so many funerals for friends.

Jones produced Jackson's 1979 Off The Wall album. With its blend of funk, soul, pop and jazz, the album — with the lead single, Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough — set Jackson on a new musical path.

With files from The Associated Press