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Aretha Franklin wears red stilettos in open gold coffin

The Queen of Soul is lying in state before her funeral

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin – who died aged 76 from pancreatic cancer last week – now lies in an open casket as fans prepare for her funeral. 

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And the legendary singer is going out in style – wearing red stiletto heals and a red dress as she lies in state.

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

The star’s body is at Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Her gold casket is fittingly inscribed with the words ‘The Queen of Soul’ in small letters.

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Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

Photos of the moving scene show the back of the soul singer’s head lying on a pillow – with her legs crossed at the ankle.

Huge bouquets of roses in pink and lilac stand nearby.

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)
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Aretha’s neice, Sabrina Owens, has said the ruby red dress is something Aretha ‘would have selected for herself’, the Sun reported.

‘After all she gave to the world, I felt we needed to give her an appropriate send-off that would match her legacy.

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

‘She loved the city of Detroit and the city of Detroit loved her,’ she said.

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Franklin’s funeral is due to take place on August 31, at 10am EST (12am AEST)

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

CNN reported that Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adam are set to perform at the service.

With her amazing voice, the inimitable Franklin carved out a music career for herself through the 1960s and ‘70s.

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She leaves behind an incredible legacy as a music icon.

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

Her devastated family released a statement announcing her death. 

‘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,’ the statement said.

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‘We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.’

Dubbed the Queen of Soul, the 18-time Grammy winner is recognised as the greatest soul singer of all time.

Aretha Franklin lies in open gold coffin in red stilettos ahead of funeral
(Credit: Getty)

In 1987, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Her songs have become anthems for the US civil rights movement and for women throughout the world. 

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