Prince’s white dove, Divinity, became an enduring symbol of the late musician following his passing in April, 2016 aged 57.
But on Tuesday, February 2, the bird flew to the heavens at the grand age of 28.
A statement issued on Prince’s estate’s website confirms: “Paisley Park today announces the passing of Divinity, the female white dove once owned by Prince Rogers Nelson, following a recent decline in health due to age.
Divinity died peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 after 28 years of life. One of the original doves Prince kept at his iconic Paisley Park complex, Divinity was an ever-present fixture for countless Paisley Park tours, events, and productions.”
Alan Seiffert, Executive Director of Paisley Park, went on to call Divinity was “one of the enduring links to Prince for thousands of fans”.
“Divinity’s beautiful coo has welcomed visitors since Paisley Park first opened its gates to the public in October 2016. She was one of the enduring links to Prince for thousands of fans. She will be missed.”
The When Doves Cry hitmaker adopted Divinity and a male dove called Majesty in the 1990s, both of which lived at the atrium of Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, where the star resided. Majesty passed away in 2017.
Both birds received credits for their “ambient singing” on 2002’s ‘Arboretum’.
In 2016, Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson revealed that the doves had stopped singing since the 1999 hitmaker’s death.
“If they’re quiet, it doesn’t feel the same. After he passed, they weren’t talking,” she explained.
“When I first came in, I’m like, ‘Where’s the doves? What’s going on?’”
She subsequently asked for them to be played her late sibling’s music in a bid to get them cooing again.
Despite The Purple One no longer being with us, Prince’s estate is set to adopt a new group of doves to greet visitors at Paisley Park.
Mitch Maguire, Legacy Preservationist, adds: “Although the original doves have passed on, visitors to Paisley Park will continue to enjoy the warm greetings from a new generation of doves that will continue to grace Prince’s home.”
