'Quickie divorce' for Madonna and Guy
Madonna and Guy Ritchie's marriage of nearly eight years was over in just a few minutes today.
What began as a fairytale wedding at Skibo Castle in Scotland came to an end in a "quickie divorce" at the clinical 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".
No one attended the divorce hearing, not even the Queen of Pop or filmmaker Guy.
It was reported that the couple agreed not to demand a financial settlement from each other.
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 Guy's unreasonable behaviour. In a question and answer form, the singer 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 Beverly Hills.
In another document released by the court, a senior district judge, who gave the go ahead for the divorce, said he was satisfied the court didn't need to exercise its powers under the Children Act nor give any directions under the Matrimonial Causes Act. This would indicate that the A-list couple reached a mutual settlement over their assets and the children before the divorce.
