Madonna to marry father of her child Guy Ritchie

Ritchie, 32, had asked her to marry him and the ceremony was likely to take place next year, Madonna told the tabloid during an interview in London's Dorchester Hotel, but she dismissed earlier reports they would marry in Scotland before Christmas.

The couple had decided to settle permanently in London within two years to give their four-month-old son Rocco, and her three-year-old daughter Lourdes by Carlos Leon, her former fitness instructor, an English education.

"Guy has asked me to marry him and I've said yes but we haven't decided when yet. We've discussed it but we haven't booked a Scottish castle or anything like that," Madonna, 42, told the Sun.

"We are very much in love and it seems like the natural thing to do. We understand what's real. We cry on each other's shoulders and we celebrate together," Madonna said. The Sun interviewer said Madonna was wearing a gold "Mommy" necklace, "looking fantastic" and back to her normal weight after Rocco's birth in August.

Madonna, formerly married to actor Sean Penn, said she felt more secure in Britain and even went out for walks alone - something she would never do in Los Angeles.

"I feel very comfortable in England. I feel safer. The more you come to a place the more you get to know it. I can find my way round and I can help people out when they ask me for directions to the pub or whatever."

Madonna said Lourdes and Rocco "get on really well now. I think she was a bit suspicious at the beginning but she holds him now - only when she's sitting down though and at least five people are watching. It can get a bit precarious.

On Tuesday, Madonna plays her first London show for seven years - at an intimate showcase gig at Brixton Academy.

(la/dpa)