Madonna granted 'quickie divorce'

4:12pm Friday 21st November 2008

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Pop queen Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie's marriage of nearly eight years is over.

What began as a fairytale wedding at the romantic Skibo Castle in the Highlands of Scotland came to an end in a "quickie divorce" at the Principal Registry of the Family Division in High Holburn, London.

Their case - Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S - was listed before District Judge Reid along with 16 others "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule".

At their wedding, guests included Gwyneth Paltrow, Donatella Versace and Stella McCartney.

No-one attended the divorce hearing, not even the couple. It was reported that they agreed not to demand a financial settlement from each other.

Madonna is said to be worth £300 million and her former husband has made £30 million from his career as a film director.

They have also agreed to share custody of their two boys, Rocco, eight, and three-year-old adopted David Banda.

A sworn statement released by the court showed that Madonna petitioned for divorce on the grounds of Ritchie's unreasonable behaviour.

In a question and answer form, she said the behaviour was continuing. Asked whether they had lived together, since the date of the petition, for six months at the same address, the reply was "No".

Madonna signed the affidavit in Beverley Hills.