Madonna given royal treatment on her 50th birthday

London, Aug 18 : "Queen of pop" Madonna's 50th birthday celebration on August 16 went off without a hitch, and as per her film director hubby Guy Ritchie's plans.

Ritchie went to every length to make the birthday a memorable one for his wife, even making an emotive speech that helped dispel rumours of trouble between them leading to a split.

The director stood up in front of 90 of his wife's pals at the Volstead nightclub bash in London's West End, and paid tribute to her amazing career, and his pride of being her husband.

"She looks better now than she ever has done. I'm so proud. I love her so much," British tabloid The Sun quoted him as saying.

After his speech, which had left almost everyone teary eyed, the couple's 11-year-old daughter Lourdes sang 'Never Alone' from the musical 'Fame', proving she could follow in her mother's giant footsteps if she so chose. Madge was so touched by it all that she had to compose herself before thanking her friends and family, in a speech that lasted almost 30 minutes.

The singer appeared to be using the party as a final run-through for her world tour, which starts in Cardiff on August 23.

She gyrated along to her back catalogue and kids Lourdes, Rocco and David joined in too, while Ritchie gazed upon them from the bar.

"She loved it when her songs came on. Her dancers were pulling out all the moves, breakdancing around her. It was like a final rehearsal for the tour," a friend added.

ANI