The "Queen of Soul," who was to receive an honorary doctorate of music at Brown University on Sunday, has cancelled her appearance because of a family emergency.

Brown University officials say they hope to honor Aretha Franklin on a different ocassion.

Read the full report here.

Franklin, whose foundation in gospel music propelled into the limelight earlier in her career, has stayed in the headlines since of her release of her Christmas CD last year through to her appearance at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Her schedule has been quite full ever since.