Those who are familiar with SnoValley Pride may be familiar with Duke, a horse-turned-unicorn often seen with the organization at Snoqualmie Valley events.

Duke’s signature Pride look — a rainbow-dyed mane and tail, a rainbow flower lei and crown, gold-painted hooves and a shining white horn — brought joy to the community, said his owner Robyn Atkins, a Snoqualmie Valley native.

Duke’s first appearance was at the 2024 SnoValley Pride picnic, and his first parade was the 2024 Carnation Fourth of July parade.

“He had never done anything like that before, but you’d never have guessed it,” Atkins said. “He handled it with total confidence and curiosity. He wanted to stop and greet everyone. That was just who he was — he made people feel seen.”

Duke died unexpectedly in late June after just having turned 17 on June 28. Duke’s last appearance as the community unicorn was June 14 at Fall City Day.

Atkins was his third caretaker, though Duke had always been in the family. He was born in Montana and was a surprise foal to his then caretaker, Atkins’s father. His whole life, Duke was a consolation to those who needed him most, Atkins said.

“Duke was unexpected, but from the moment he arrived, he brought joy and connection to our entire family,” Atkins said. “My dad often said Duke was more like a best friend than a horse — he followed him around like a dog and was always a comforting presence.”

SnoValley Pride, whose logo is a similar-looking unicorn, made a Facebook post about Duke on July 1.

“Duke wasn’t just a horse in a horn. He was the magic,” the post said. “Duke helped bring the heart of SnoValley Pride to life, reminding us that believing in something beautiful and impossible is actually the most real thing of all.”

To honor Duke, the members of SnoValley Pride wore golden horseshoe pins while marching in this year’s Carnation Fourth of July parade.

“Knowing that our community saw and loved Duke’s spirit the same way we did means more than I can say,” Atkins said. “He wasn’t just our family’s horse — he became part of something bigger.”

Duke also inspired the main character for “Uni’s Quest for Kindness,” a children’s book created by SnoValley Pride founder Gregory Jamiel. In the book, Uni the unicorn goes on an adventure to meet friends throughout the Valley.

“Thank you, Duke, for helping our Valley dream again,” the SnoValley Pride Facebook post said. “You were, and always will be, real to us.”

SnoValley Pride founder Gregory Jamiel wears a gold horseshoe pin to honor Duke at the 2025 Carnation Fourth of July parade. Photo courtesy of Travis Wetherbee/Last Lite Photography