US TV network Fox News have made an apology after getting their Queens of Soul confused in a tribute to Aretha Franklin, featuring an image of fellow singer Patti LaBelle instead.
The faded photo appeared during a segment with hosts Bill Hemmer and Sandra Smith, who were in the midst of lauding Franklin's legacy following her death from cancer on Thursday aged 76.
Hemmer said, "She sang with a smile on her face when she performed, and that is what she emitted for so many millions and for so many years."
The image of LaBelle clad in green can be seen in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
The image is from a 2014 performance at the White House, where she sang for then-president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
Fox News later apologised for the mix-up.
"We sincerely apologise to Aretha Franklin's family and friends," a Fox News spokesperson said.
"Our intention was to honour the icon using a secondary image of her performing with Patti LaBelle in the full screen graphic, but the image of Ms. Franklin was obscured in that process, which we deeply regret."
Although Franklin sang at the event, she was not in the photo that Fox ran on air.
LaBelle herself shared her condolences after Franklin's death, tweeting, "I am deeply saddened about the passing of the Queen of Soul and my sister in song, Aretha Franklin. Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss."
Australian Associated Press
