It’s hard to believe but the most famous woman in the world – pop icon Madonna – is 52 this year, the “4 Minutes” singer celebrating her latest milestone with a celebration with friends at the trendy Shoreditch House in London, UK. According to the tabloids, however, it wasn’t quite the wild rock’n’roll party that onlookers were expecting from the controversial star, the Daily Mirror reporting that the birthday bash was “like a wake” despite continuing until 4am.

Arriving at the party alongside her 13-year-old daughter Lourdes and 24-year-old DJ boyfriend Jesus Luz, Madonna was dressed in a grey Dolce and Gabbana dress and carrying a AUS$10,507 handbag by Olympus Teneo – which came with a huge gold crucifix attached, reportedly a gift from her partner. Guests were asked to wear the black dress code, with TV presenter Claudia Winkleman, actress Billie Piper and comedian Paul Whitehouse all popping in and being snapped by waiting photographers.

One onlooker told the newspaper the birthday party was very quiet and dull, with not much excitement going on. “There was barely any music or laughing coming from the party, it was like a wake,” the source said. “We thought Jesus might have set up the decks for a dance, but it was very stuffy and serious.”

The bash is rumoured to have cost $175,000.

Madonna shares her birthday (Monday 16 August) with film director James Cameron.