Madonna tells Ritchie she wants divorce

London -- U.S. pop star Madonna has told Guy Ritchie she wants to end their seven-year marriage because they have drifted apart, a friend told The Daily Mirror.

"They were both very calm. Madonna told Guy: 'I'm sorry. I want a divorce.' And he agreed. It was quite painless but very sad," a friend told the newspaper Thursday night.

Friends of Ritchie, a British filmmaker, said he is at the family's country home in England, holding out hope that the relationship can be saved, while Madonna is in New York with their three children.

"He's a bit down in the dumps, and who can blame him. He's off to the country to get a bit of peace and quiet," an insider told the Mirror.

Ritchie and Madonna, who reportedly don't have a prenuptial agreement, are said to have already consulted divorce lawyers.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.