Media outlets from far and wide cover Franklin funeral

Aretha Franklin's funeral has been top news not just across the U.S., but internationally as well, as reporters from the four corners of the globe converged on Greater Grace Temple for the funeral.

Many live-streamed the proceedings as a long line of citizens and celebrities arrived to pay their respects.

Local broadcast stations had entire teams of anchors and reporters on site. By dawn, parking lots near the church were filled with broadcast trucks as media sprawled in tents across the street from the church with everyone from the BBC to CBS News.

The Madrid daily El País, which put funeral coverage high up on its website, analyzed the city's mood on the eve of her interment: 

“Detroit isn’t sad,” the reporter wrote. “On the contrary, the city has a party atmosphere: Aretha Franklin’s voice emerges from cars, loudspeakers on the streets, and in the whistling of passers-by.” 

The Washington Post pointed out that when Bill and Hillary Clinton entered the sanctuary, they were "greeted with warm applause." Also in attendance, the paper added, was California Rep. Maxine Waters. 

The BBC website, among other outlets, noted that fans were lining up well before dawn Friday to pay their respects. 

"Dignitaries and legends may be attending her funeral," their reporter wrote, "but it is the overwhelming admiration and gratitude of the public that underlines her impact on America."

Even Buckingham Palace paid tribute to the Queen of Soul during its Changing of the Guard ceremony.  

The official residence of Queen Elizabeth II became an unlikely setting for a rendition of Franklin’s “Respect” played by the Welsh Guards Band during the popular Changing of the Guard ceremony Friday.

The soul music may have startled tourists expecting British pomp and ceremony Friday from the Welsh Guards, who were wearing traditional red military jackets topped by high bearskin hats.

The Army said it wanted to pay tribute to a “musical icon and inspiration” in a tweet.

For its part, the New York Times gave the events a grand summary: "Praised by presidents and pop stars, eulogized by more than a dozen preachers, and feted with a fleet of pink Cadillacs, Aretha Franklin was celebrated on Friday as a musical titan, an empowering feminist and an American icon during a marathon goodbye that showcased a generation of talent who drew inspiration from her."

mfeighan@detroitnews.com