May 20, 2009 17:59

Aretha Franklin cancels university appearance due to family emergency

The singer was to receive an honourary doctorate

Aretha Franklin has cancelled here appearance at Brown University's commencement ceremony in Providence, Rhode Island that was scheduled for Sunday (May 24).

The University announced that the "Queen of Soul" was forced to cancel due to a family emergency.

“The entire campus community -- especially the graduating Class of 2009 -- will miss the opportunity to honor Ms. Franklin and the remarkable music she has created during her long career. We wish her and her family well and hope to honour her on another occasion,” the University said in a statement.

Franklin was to receive an honourary Doctor of Music degree from the Ivy League university that is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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