BEYONCE KNOWLES - BEYONCE REPORTEDLY MARRIES JAY-Z IN NEW YORK

Singer Beyonce Knowles has wed rapper boyfriend Jay-Z in New York, the People magazine has reported.

Although nothing has been officially confirmed, the People quotes a friend of the couple as saying: "It happened earlier this evening [Friday]. Jay wanted it to be a really private affair – close friends and family."

Guests included Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles, her father and manager Mathew, her sister Solange, Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and friend Gwyneth Paltrow, it said.

According to the article, the ceremony was followed by a party at Jay-Z's apartment in Manhattan's Tribeca district.

Rumours about the couple's impending nuptials were sparked when they sought a marriage licence at a village hall in Scarsdale, New York, on Tuesday.

On Friday, workers erected a white tent on top of the building in Tribeca where Jay-Z owns a penthouse apartment.

And as waiting staff, flowers and music equipment arrived the wedding buzz intensified.

The two have been together since September 2002, and they performed together in music videos for two of her hit singles, Crazy in Love and Deja Vu.