ìThatís not going to happen now. Nonnie will tell everyone herself, but from everything Iím hearing, she and Guy are beyond the point of no return and both now accept that divorce is inevitable.î

Her brother Christopherís book Life With My Sister Madonna, published next month, has also caused a family rift. ìHe wonít be there,î said the relative. ìMadonna is furious and isnít the only one. His book couldnít have come at a worse time.î

Madonna, previously married to actor Sean Penn, will look to her family for support as she now divorces Ritchie, 39, and ponders the next step over the book. On top of this, she is preparing for her Sticky And Sweet world tour, which starts in Cardiff on August 23.

The relative went on: ìShe comes from a big, scattered family but itís one that loves her. Just being with everyone will be a source of comfort.î

Last night, sources close to Madonna said they were unaware of Ritchieís reported plans to fly in for a last-gasp try at reconciliation. Both are already said to have consulted top divorce lawyers in the UK ñ and there was no prenuptial agreement when they married.

Madonna, whose mother died of breast cancer in 1963, is worth £300million and Ritchie would be unlikely to walk away from the seven-and-a-half year union with less than £100million.

As well as David, they have son Rocco, seven, together and Madonna has daughter Lourdes, 11, from her relationship with personal trainer Carlos Leon. Madonna has hinted that she intends to take all three children with her on tour. But her relative said: ìI canít see the kids being an issue.

ìShe knows Guy loves them all and it wouldnít be in her nature to deprive him of shared custody or as much access as any dad could ask. Sheíll try to make the divorce as easy possible for them.î