MadonnaMadonna reportedly burst into tears over dinner with Stella McCartney last night after showing her a photo of the girl she had hoped to adopt.

Madonna’s request to adopt four year old Mercy James was turned down in a surprise legal move by the High Court in Malawi last week. The star had been assured that there would be no problem with the adoption after she adopted son David from the country in 2006 but the presiding judge rejected the request because Madonna had not met the residency requirement.

Madonna and her three children - David, son Rocco and daughter Lourdes - flew back to the UK at the weekend, with David and Rocco heading off to spend a week in Wiltshire with their dad Guy Ritchie. Madonna and Lourdes are staying at their former family home in London for this week’s Passover celebrations - and Madonna has been spotted out dining with fashion designer friend Stella for the last two nights in a row.

A source close to the star told the Mirror: “The last week has been one of the hardest in her life. She’s really relying on her friends to help her through.”

But she is still said to be devastated at having to leave Mercy in her Malawian orphanage. An onlooker at Cecconi’s in Mayfair added: “She dug around in her handbag for the photo and was excitedly showing it off to Stella.

“But it was clearly too much, the moment overcame her. Stella told her to be strong as she tenderly gave her a hug and shoulder to cry on.

“They left not long after.”