Damage Control

Their eight-year union has been wracked by recent reports of trouble, but Madonna and Guy Ritchie stepped out together today in London in an apparent sign of solidarity.

First, the British filmmaker, who has been M.I.A. during some of Madge’s most recent career landmark achievements, paid a visit to the Material Mom on the set of a photo shoot. Says an insider: “They held hands and smiled.” Shortly thereafter, it was off to Harry’s, Mayfair in London for a ritzy dinner with a group of friends. Although Guy was reportedly subdued throughout the meal, he did lavish attention on his wife, slipping his arm around her shoulders and, at one point, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

Just after midnight, the “happy couple” headed out of the restaurant through the front door and walked arm-in-arm through the waiting crowd of paparazzi.

Mission accomplished.

Faded Youth