Prince marries dancer-singer Mayte during private ceremony in Minniapolis

Jet, March 4, 1996

The superstar musician formerly known as Prince didn't have to ask could dancer-singer-songwriter Mayte Jannell Garcia be the most beautiful girl in the world. He knew, and he recently married the Puerto Rican beauty during a private ceremony in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN.

Prince and Mayte exchanged marital vows during a quiet ceremony at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church where a small group of family members joined the two-some in their joyous celebration. Rev. Keith Johnson, a friend of Prince's, officiated the rite.

The bride's sister, Janice Garcia, served as the maid of honor while Kirk Johnson, a percussionist-vocalist with the New Power Generation (NPG) and longtime friend of Prince's, was the best man. Mrs. Nelle Garcia, the bride's mother, was preceded down the aisle by seven flower girls before her daughter was escorted down the aisle by her father, Ret. Major John Garcia.

As one of the many special gifts of song bestowed upon his new wife, Prince commissioned the NPG to perform Kamasutra, a song he wrote, as the guests were welcomed into the ceremony. The Academy Award-winning musician also composed a song, Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife, for his wife. The groom escorted his bride onto the dance floor for their first dance as man and wife and unveiled the lyrics of the love song to her there.

The song Kamasutra will be available on NPG Records this spring; however, Friend, Lover, Sister, Mother/Wife, cannot be released to the public because of contractual restrictions between Warner Bros. Records and Prince.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom entered a white limousine where hundreds of fans attempted to catch a glimpse of the former bachelor and his beautiful one.

Doves didn't cry as the newlyweds were driven away, instead they were too busy flying above as a member of the wedding party released a cage full of the white birds as a symbol of what happens when two are in love.