Madonna, Ritchie divorce is official

Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s eight-year marriage ended Friday in a dreary London courtroom. As expected, the case of “Ciccone M.L. v. Ritchie G.S.” was one of 17 divorce decrees granted by Judge Caroline Reid during a quick hearing in a harshly lighted London court. There was no legal obligation for Madonna, 50, or Guy Ritchie, 40, to attend the hearing at which they were granted the first of two stages of divorce. Court papers signed by Madonna in Los Angeles confirmed that the queen of pop petitioned for divorce on the basis of Ritchie’s “unreasonable behavior” and that there is no need to apply family law in the case -- meaning that the couple have reached their own agreements over their assets and children.