Angelina Jolie to miss aunt's funeral for red carpet return

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Photo/AP

Angelina Jolie is set for a return to the red carpet at the London premiere of fiance Brad Pitt's new film World War Z.

The actress recently went public with the news of her after her recent double mastectomy surgery, explaining she felt the procedure was necessary after learning she was at risk of developing breast cancer.

Jolie, whose 61-year-old aunt Debbie Martin died of the disease on Sunday, will face the media for the first time since her announcement at the World War Z premiere in London.

Her commitment to attending the premiere means she will miss Martin's funeral this weekend.

Martin's husband Ron Martin told E! News: "We are making the final arrangements for the funeral as we speak. But we expect it to be this Sunday at noon at El Camino Memorial in Sorrento Valley near our home."

"Angelina will be in London on Sunday so she won't be able to attend but she has been in touch with us and with various other members of the family, which has obviously been lovely and has meant a lot to us."

Martin said the family are hoping to start a charity to raise money for BRCA genetic testing.

Jolie underwent her double mastectomy after testing revealed she had the BRCA1 gene, putting her at an 87 per cent chance of developing breast cancer.

The actress has kept a low profile since announcing her health news in an article for The New York Times on May 14.

- with Bang! Showbiz