Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have put on a show of unity with a rare public appearance together in New York.

The couple enjoyed a romantic meal at an Italian restaurant - just hours after Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg issued a statement denying the pair are set to divorce.

Madonna and Ritchie were snapped heading into an exclusive restaurant hand in hand on Tuesday evening.

A source tells People.com, "(They looked) like a normal couple that just wanted to have a nice dinner out."

"They looked very unassuming, not like they were looking for attention."

Another onlooker tells the website, "Everyone was whispering and saying, 'Wow, that was Madonna. She is supposed to be separating from her husband. I can't believe she is here.'"