Aretha Franklin: 'Queen of soul's star-studded funeral underway [Photos]

Aretha Franklin finally goes on in style as celebrities and former president attend beautiful funeral held in her honour.

Aretha Franklin's final journey home is underway in Detroit and as expected, it is a star-studded event.

Among those present at the funeral of the late queen of soul include Stevie Wonder,  Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters and the recently added Ariana Grande who are all billed to perform.

The late queen of soul's funeral is presently taking place at Detroit's Greater Grace Temple. Her fans aren't left out as they came out in their numbers to bid their idol a final goodbye. Also present at the funeral include other celebrities and even a former president.

 

The premises of the church where the funeral took place was lined up with over 100 Cadillacs cars all painted in pink. Amazing right?

 

It would be recalled that Aretha Franklin passed away in the early hours of Thursday, August 16, after a long illness, that saw her admitted to a hospital in Detroit.

 

Aretha Franklin passes away at 76

 

On Thursday, August 16, the news of Aretha Franklin's death was announced. She passed away after a long illness, that saw her admitted to a hospital in Detroit. According to a statement released by her publicist and received by a number of online media, the singer died of advanced pancreatic cancer in the early hours of Thursday at her home in Detroit.

"In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family," the family said.

 

There have been speculations that Aretha Franklin was diagnosed with cancer, which persisted for years, but she had never publicly confirmed that she was suffering.