Aretha Franklin given the ultimate send-off by pals, celebs

The Queen of Soul got the ultimate royal send-off Friday with a marathon funeral featuring moving performances and heartfelt tributes by a who’s who of Hollywood.

The red carpet was rolled out for Aretha Franklin, whose body arrived at Greater Grace Temple in her hometown of Detroit decked out in a floor-length gold gown and gold sequin pumps — her fourth and final outfit during the week-long celebration of her life.

The diva’s glossy, gold casket caught a glint of sunlight as it was hauled inside and placed front and center of the church for the more than six-hour fete.

“She was born a princess, her family made her so, but it was through her talent, determination and care for others that she became a queen,” said former US Attorney General Eric Holder, who was among dozens to deliver speeches. “Aretha commanded respect. She deservedly received it and also made it possible for others.”

Holder wrapped up his remarks with, “Rest in peace, my queen.”

Some of Franklin’s loved ones dressed in all white to pay their respects to the legendary singer, whose open casket spent three days on public display in the Motor City.

Victorie Franklin took the stage to praise her “fierce” grandmother. “I remember when I was a kid, people used to always ask me, what does it feel like to be Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter?” she said. “I would always shrug my shoulders and go I don’t know. It’s just my grandma.”

Victorie said watching her perform was “the best feeling in the world.”

“Nothing sounded better to me than the way my grandma sings,” she said. “Her voice made you feel something. You felt every word, every note, every emotion in the songs she sang. Her voice brought peace.”

Famous guests Friday included Whoopi Goldberg, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, the Clark Sisters and US Rep. Maxine Waters.

Jackson praised Franklin for being a civil-rights leader and used her legacy as a way to encourage people to get out and vote. “We have long lines to celebrate death and short lines for voting . . . Long lines at the death of the icons and short lines for voting, something is missing,” he noted.

Music was the highlight of Franklin’s epic funeral — Fantasia performed gospel song “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” while Ariana Grande, clad in a short black dress, delivered the 1967 hit “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holliday and Ron Isley also performed. Chaka Khan brought down the house with a lively version of “I’m Going Up Yonder.”

The day was filled with laughs, too. The Rev. Al Sharpton told the crowd how Franklin sent over a donation in the beginning days of his National Action Network, a check that he framed.

“She said, ‘Boy, don’t you have a copy machine?’ ” he recalled, prompting roars of laughter. “She said, ‘You know how I am with my bank account! You better cash that check in!’”

Sharpton couldn’t help but take a swipe at President Trump for referring to Franklin as someone who “used to work for me” the day she died from pancreatic cancer on Aug. 16.

“I want y’all to help me correct President Trump, to teach him what [respect] means,” Sharpton said to a standing ovation. “No, she used to perform for you. She worked for us.”

Sharpton also read a letter from former President Obama, who could not attend the funeral because he is scheduled to eulogize Sen. John McCain on Saturday.

“Aretha’s work reflected the very best of the American story. In all of its hope and heart, its boldness and its unmistakable beauty,” wrote Obama. “In the example she set both as an artist and a citizen, Aretha embodied those most revered virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation.”

One of Franklin’s most iconic performances was at Obama’s 2009 inauguration, where she sang “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.”

Former President Bill Clinton was also on hand and sat in the front row with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

As wife and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sat in the audience, the former president recalled how the two were “Aretha groupies” long before ever holding office. “She had the voice of generation,” Clinton said.

Franklin’s funeral service was invite-only, but the first 1,000 fans were allowed in for the historic event. Franklin’s burial site is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit alongside her Baptist minister ­father C.L. Franklin.