American pop star Prince’s remains secretly cremated

He was adored by millions of fans but music icon Prince was always determined that his final exit would echo the way he lived life - away from the spotlight.

While thousands of fans flocked to his home to pay their respects after he died on Thursday, the rock star’s family was already carrying out his funeral plan.

And on Friday, as the world continued to mourn his death, the Purple Rain singer was secretly cremated after his family followed his wishes that there "be no drama".

The service is a stark contrast to that of his bitter rival Michael Jackson whose funeral was beamed live across the world as Hollywood greats gathered to pay their respects.

Prince’s body was quietly released back to his family shortly after 1pm on Friday after undergoing a four hour autopsy at the Minnesota medical examiner’s office in Ramsey.

From there he was driven across Minneapolis to the First Memorial Western Chapel where, accompanied his sister Tyka, her son Prez and another member of the family, he was cremated.

"Throughout his life and following his Jehovah's Witness faith Prince made it clear to his family that if he ever were to be taken from us he wanted to die with dignity," said a family friend.

"He had very precise ideas about how he wanted his death to be handled and that didn't involve a huge funeral but a quiet service.

"He wanted it to be kept to the minimum of fuss. Prince was such figure you don't need a funeral to remember him by.

"The world has his music instead. He wanted to simply disappear with no fuss, no drama, and no fanfare. It was just his style.

In keeping with his Jehovah Witness religion Prince’s service was carried out within a week of his death.

After his body arrived at the chapel around 2pm on Friday the service, which usually costs Ksh 160 000was carried out about an hour later.

His family stayed inside for four hours until being presented with a casket containing Prince’s ashes.

"Tyka was adamant she didn’t want to leave him,” added the source.

"Although in the past they often endured a fraught relationship in recent years and right now she has been like a rock throughout these dark days.

"As his only full blood relative alive Prince always looked out for Tyka and now she is doing all she can for him."

Tyka is a mother of six who beat a drug addiction after Prince paid for a stint in rehab.

She bounced back to follow in her brother footsteps and become a recording artist.

Tyka is likely to inherit Prince’s estimated Ksh 20 billion fortune if he failed to leave a will.

Finance experts say the sum could however be much larger as it could include his £330million back catalogue of music which he retained the rights too.

If, due to the sudden nature of his death, Prince failed to leave a will under Minnesota law his estate will be handed to Tyka as his closest living relative.

Police are continuing to investigate Prince’s death and are set to interview his family, friends and staff in the coming days.