Separately, New York judge in December asked Ritchie to send Rocco back after the son chose to move to London rather than stay in his mother’s home or accompany her on tour.
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Singer Madonna’s 19-year-old daughter Lourdes Leon has stepped in to mend the rift between her mother and brother Rocco.
The judge said last week that he had to decide whether the proceedings launched by Madonna in England should end – or whether he should make decisions on Rocco’s welfare.
Making her entrance on a tricycle, the singer told the crowd she was dressed as a clown because “to me they symbolise heartbreak”.
She has also urged Madonna and Mr Ritchie to reach agreement.
The pop star was due to perform a free show for 1400 fans called Tears of a Clown at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre, but kept fans waiting so long they started wondering if she would show at all.
“What she has always sought to date is to find a way in which this family can come together to heal the wounds which have been inflicted on the family in the past four months or so”, he continued.
Mr Justice MacDonald was told that Mr Ritchie feared that he might be arrested for being in contempt of an American judge’s order to return Rocco to the US.
He added that Madonna did not see the situation in such “simple terms as Rocco does”.
Madonna’s attorney, David Williams QC, had previously told the court his client had launched proceedings in the United Kingdom under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, but had since had a change of heart and wanted to withdraw the petition to focus on the NY litigation, according to British newspaper The Guardian.
Judge Alistair MacDonald, who is considering the case, said the fact Thursday’s hearing was taking place could be reported but no details could be publicized.
Ritchie, 47, was present for the hearing, but the “Material Girl” hitmaker did not attend the court session as she is now in the midst of her “Rebel Heart” World Tour.
Because of Rocco’s age, High Court Judge Alistair MacDonald ordered all legal arguments heard inside the court relating to the custody battle over the teenager must remain private.
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He went with Guy, and new wife Jacqui Ainsley, 34.
