Aretha Franklin says she’s ready to get married

NEW YORK (AP) - Aretha Franklin says she’s ready to tie the knot with longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson.

Franklin told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that the pair was considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Fla. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht.

The 69-year-old jokes, “No, I’m not pregnant.”

Franklin didn’t say whether the pair had gotten engaged and a representative didn’t immediately reply to a message seeking clarification.

The Grammy-winning singer is considering Vera Wang, Valentino and Donna Karan to design her dress.

Franklin has been married twice before.

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Mesfin Fekadu covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/musicmesfin