Madonna granted divorce in London                    

Pop star Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have been granted a divorce at the High Court in London.      

The decree nisi was granted less than a month after the couple, who have three children, declared their eight-year marriage was over.

The couple wed at Skibo Castle in Scotland in December 2000, and announced their separation last month after months of speculation.

Neither Madonna, 50, nor her film-maker husband, 40, were in court on Friday.

'Sharing custody'

The case was listed before District Judge Reid alongside 16 others "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule".

It has been reported that the couple did not demand a financial settlement from each other. Madonna is thought to be worth some £300m, while Ritchie is believed to have £30m in assets.

The couple are also reported to have agreed to share custody of their two boys, Rocco, eight, and three-year-old adopted David Banda, while Madonna's daughter from an earlier relationship, 12-year-old Lourdes, will stay with her.

Madonna is currently in the US playing dates on her Sticky & Sweet tour.

Friday's hearing lasted less than a minute, the AFP news agency reported.

If there are no disputes, a decree nisi can become a decree absolute within weeks, legally ending the marriage.          

Source : bbcnews