Listen: Heartbreaking Moment Madonna Opened Up About Son On Stage in Auckland

Madonna burst into tears on the Auckland stage as she told fans: "There is no love stronger than a mother for her son," before dedicating her song La Vie en Rose to him.

The saga began last December, when Rocco left his mother's world tour to fly to Britain to stay with his film director father. Rocco then defied the superstar's pleas - as well as an order from a New York court - to return to Madonna's US home for Christmas, preferring instead to remain in Britain with Ritchie.

Now, having accepted that she is fighting a losing battle, Madonna has told friends that she will let her son stay in Britain. The 57-year-old is said to be "utterly bereft" and, as part of the peace deal, she is demanding a series of assurances that she will retain some parental influence over her only natural son.

Read more about her concert here.