The 30-year-old singer was on Twitter on Thursday and read a tribute written by the 'Body on Me' hitmaker to the 57-year-old superstar - who had died at his Paisley Park in Illinois home that day - but refused to believe the pair had ever met in person.
Rita's heartfelt tribute revealed the 'Purple Rain' singer was her "dear kind friend" whose friendship was "so special" to her and she claimed the pair had shared "dance-off's" and lots of "laughing".
The message - which was posted on Instagram - read: "This is coming from a place I never new existed in my heart. You were so special to me your presence the music we created the dance-off's we used to have the laughing we shared.
"The funk oozing out of you was uncontrollable. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself but I will miss you forever and always. I love you my dear kind friend.
"May all my prayers go to his family the whole band (you know who you are, I love you all so much) anybody who felt even one little bit of what I was lucky enough to experience face to face, and let us keep alive the one thing he knew would last forever, his music. I love you P. I will never forget you. Love your Rita."
A photo posted by Rita Ora (@ritaora) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:59am PDT
She quickly came under fire from Rita's fans and swiftly backtracked, adding: "I didn't mean that in a mean way, I'm just jealous you were so close to my idol. #superfan #ritabots go IN."
Prince released his final album titled 'HITNRUN Phase One' which featured the 24-year-old singer, in December, and Rita's fans were quick to point it out to Lily.
One fuming fan responded: "Jealous flop b**ch."
"If he was your f**king idol why haven't you head of his last f**king album dear Lily? Oh yeah Rita Ora features on it"
And another said: "Lily Allen coming after Rita Ora over Prince is so tacky. Rita worked with the man. Let her feel her feels."
Bang Showbiz