Madonna and Guy Ritchie to divorce today

MADONNA and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to be divorced today.

Their case — Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S — is listed before District Judge Reid under the “quickie” divorce procedure.

Their decree nisi, or divorce decree is to be announced at 10am in Court 10 of the Principal Registry of the High Court’s Family Division. It is not necessary for the couple to attend the proceedings in High Holborn, central London.

Today’s hearing is likely to last a matter of minutes. Both parties are entitled to attend if they wish, but in most high profile celebrity cases, the divorcing couple choose not to.

There was no immediate comment from Madonna’s spokeswoman.

The Evening Standard newspaper in London reported yesterday that Ritchie has done a “Piper” — by refusing to take a penny of Madonna’s fortune, estimated at £300 million (€354m).

Ritchie, who has had a successful career in his own right, is believed to be worth about £30m (€35m).

Actress Billie Piper was praised when she walked away from her marriage to Chris Evans without taking any of his cash.

The Standard reported that a source said the couple’s two boys — Rocco, eight and three-year-old adopted David Banda will split their time between Britain and the US.

Lourdes, 12, Madonna’s child from an earlier relationship, will remain with her. The source told the newspaper: “The priority for him has always been the children.”