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Queen of Soul puts the brakes on wedding plans

NEED TO KNOW
  • Franklin says engagement is off after just three weeks
  • 'No wedding at this time' for the Queen of Soul
  • Statement says singer and longtime friend were 'moving a little too fast'

It was less than a month ago that we were celebrating the fact that the Queen of Soul would crown her king. But on this dark and dreary Monday, HLN has confirmed that Aretha Franklin has called off her engagement to longtime friend William "Willie" Wilkerson.

Here's the official statement:

Regretfully, To Our Friends and Supporters:
 
Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time. We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it.  We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends.
 
Aretha & Will

The two were engaged over the holidays (along with about 10,000 other celebs) and the Grammy-winner singer gushed about plans to marry in Miami Beach, with a reception aboard a luxury yacht. The 69-year-old said at the time she was considering Donna Karan, Valentino or maybe Vera Wang to design her dress.

"We're looking at June or July for our date and no I'm not pregnant, LOL!" Franklin, 69, said in a statement earlier this month. No LOL's with today's update.

Franklin has been married twice before and has four children.

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