Madonna's son Rocco prompts custody feud with ex Guy Ritchie

Pop icon Madonna is embroiled in a holiday custody battle, sparring with ex-husband Guy Ritchie over their teen son Rocco Ritchie, according to published reports.

The singer made an appearance in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday to order their 15-year-old son's return from London, where Ritchie is based.

The teen, who reportedly refused to board a return flight to the U.S., wanted to spend the holidays with is father and "has expressed very clearly that he does not want to return to New York," Eric Buckley, a lawyer for filmmaker Ritchie, argued at the hearing, according to the New York Daily News.

"I'm directing that the child to be returned to New York," presiding Justice Deborah Kaplan ultimately ruled, in Madonna's favour.

However, the judge noted that upon his return to the U.S., Rocco Ritchie can begin the legal process of changing his custody and living arrangements. The teen will be also represented in future court proceedings by his own court-appointed attorney, she said.

This year, the younger Ritchie has been seen with both parents: accompanying Madonna on her Rebel Heart tour in North America and Europe this fall as well as visiting his father in June and attending the glitzy premiere of his latest movie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., in August.

Madonna shares two children with filmmaker Ritchie, whom she married in 2000 and divorced in 2008: Rocco and 10-year-old adopted son David. 

Madonna is also mother to two girls — daughter Lourdes from a previous relationship with fitness trainer Carlos Leon, and Mercy James, a second adopted child.

Meanwhile, British director Ritchie also has three young children with his current wife, model Jacqui Ainsley,