Aretha Franklin calls off her engagement

Aretha Franklin, who earlier this month announced she was marrying her longtime friend and companion Willie Wilkerson, said Monday that they have called off their engagement.

"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," the Queen of Soul, 69, said in a statement. "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."

Franklin had spoken of plans to marry this summer, possibly in the Hamptons. It would have been her third marriage.

It was not clear whether the couple, who met in 1985, were still romantically involved, The Associated Press reported.

The announcement came about a year after the "Respect" singer was sidelined by a mystery illness requiring surgery.

She returned to performing and released a new album in May after dropping about 85 pounds.