It’s like Prince is right there in front of us

THE family of Prince say that seeing a huge archive of his memorabilia go on display in London “is like having him right there in front of us”.

As final preparations were made for the O2 Arena show, the Standard was given a preview with the late singer’s sister Tyka Nelson and brothers Omarr Baker and Alfred Jackson.

The exhibition includes guitars, outfits, jewellery, shoes and hand-written lyrics, which have left

Prince’s Paisley Park complex in Minnesota for the first time. Tyka said: “What was really overwhelming is seeing everything up close — it was like he was right there in front of us. I know the fans loved my brother and I love hearing when they first heard a record of my brother’s or saw him in concert. All of the artefacts resonate with me — all of them. I saw some pieces I haven’t seen in years.”

Omarr said the family chose the

O2 as it is where

Prince held his

21-night run of concerts in 2007. He said: “Being at the O2 is bittersweet.

It’s surreal for us as a family and I’m happy for the fans to support

Prince as they always have done in London. I just want to say thank you to them.”

Fans will be led through a journey of

Prince’s music, with a room dedicated to his

Purple Rain film and album, featuring handmade costumes with platform boots designed to boost his diminutive stature.

Prince was found dead, aged 57, from a drugs overdose at Paisley Park in April last year. Curator Angie Marchese said: “When we started at Paisley Park, Prince already had it laid out. He already had graphics on the walls, he had already started making it into a museum, so when I walked in I already knew his vision. All I had to do was find the artefacts to tell his story.”

The exhibition opens tomorrow and has had its run extended until January 7.

For tickets go to mynameisprince.co.uk