Prince 'suffered from Aids and had expected to die for a while,' US tabloid claims

Prince died of Aids and had been preparing for his death "for a while," it has been reported.

The Purple Rain singer, a Jehovan's Witness, was diagnosed with the condition six months before his sudden death, according to the National Enquirer.

The singer "had been preparing to die for a while," and his weight had plummeted to just 80lbs, a source told the American tabloid.

"Doctors told Prince his blood count was unusually low and that his body temperature had dropped dangerously below the normal 98.6 degrees to 94 degrees," they said.

"He was totally iron-deficient, very weak and often disoriented. He rarely ate and when he did, it all came right back up.

"His face was yellowish, the skin on his neck was hanging off and the tips of fingers were a brownish-yellow," they added.

It was also reported that Prince was seen making runs to a local pharmacy shortly before his death to pick up treatment for what is believed to have been a painful and severe case of influenza.

“We were all just shocked that he came in last night looking so beat. We said, ‘We are praying for you," a source told the National Enquirer.

"He said, almost under his breath, ‘Maybe if you prayed for me a year ago it’d be different right now."

Then he waved and said thanks anyway," they added.

Aids is a virus which attacks the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight diseases.

Though there is no cure, most sufferers live lengthy and healthy lives thanks to anti-viral drugs.

The National Enquirer claims Prince was diagnosed with HIV back in the 1990s, but it developed into Aids at the end of last year.

Representatives for Prince are yet to respond to the allegations.