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Birthdays are always a big deal if you’re part of Madonna’s brood. The pop legend and her eldest son’s birthdays are just days apart – and what better way to celebrate than to jet off to Europe?
Madonna and her kids, birthday boy Rocco Ritchie (22), Mercy James (16), David Banda (16) and twins Estere and Stella (9), flew to Sicily, Italy, for the double celebration. Although her firstborn, Lourdes (25), appeared to be missing, she shared several snaps of her other children, including a few of the birthday boy.
"From one Leo to another! Happy birthday Rocco," Madge captioned a post on Instagram.
Rocco, whose father is film director Guy Ritchie, looked all grown up as he cut a birthday cake with his siblings huddled around him.
The famous family also enjoyed a lavish dinner outdoors while traditional Sicilian singers serenaded them.
Rocco has been called a dead ringer for his dad thanks to his blonde hair and chiselled good looks. He was just eight years old when his parents divorced in 2008. A long custody battle ensued and he split his time between England, where his dad stayed, and the US, where his mother lived.
As a young boy he went on tour with Madonna and even danced on stage, but by 2015 he had found his own interests.
At the time Madonna said that her son wasn’t “interested in performing” with her on stage. “Your mum is not cool when you’re 14,” she added.
The Material Girl singer has in the past spoken about how motherhood has helped her evolve.
"Having children has reminded me how precious time is, and how each child requires attention and vigilance and guidance in a different way. Really, you have to be ready for anything. They teach you to stop being obsessed with yourself, 'cause they’re always there to throw a wrench into the works. Self-obsession is not allowed with children," she says.
Like his parents, Rocco is quite creative and studied fine art at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
The youngster has been tapping into his talents as an up-and-coming expressionist artist. Rocco, who goes under the name Rhed, is rather successful and reportedly sold one his paintings for six figures.
“Having an eclectic cultural background, with a childhood spent between New York and London, his paintings exude an engaging mixture of innocence and confidence,” says Tanya Baxter, an art gallery curator in the UK.
READ MORE | WATCH: Lourdes Leon channels her mother Madonna in sexy new fashion campaign
A few days after celebrating her oldest son's birthday, Madonna rang in her 64th birthday at Palazzo Castelluccio in Sicily.
“As with every birthday, Madonna will host an epic party, but this year will be particularly special,” a source says.
“The palace is nothing short of spectacular. I can only imagine she has blown tens of thousands on the evening. But when you’re worth £700 million, money isn’t an issue."
The Vogue singer, who recently appeared on a remix of Beyoncé's Break My Soul, was seen twinning with her youngest daughters, Estere and Stella, in Dolce & Gabbana dresses for her big do.
SOURCES: HOLA.COM, PEOPLE.COM, DAILYMAIL.CO.UK, INDEPENDENT.CO.UK, THESUN.CO.UK, THEGUARDIAN.CO.UK
