The National Enquirer in its British edition published articles on June 5 & June 12 under the headlines, "Britney marriage is over!" & "Britney and Kevin: And now their divorce!"
Britney's lawyers representing her in Britain and Ireland signed an agreement with a London lawyer representing American Media Inc., requiring a published apology to the star & her husband, in addition to a retraction of the articles.

The retraction and apology said National Enquirer officials "now accept that their marriage is not over and they are not getting divorced. These allegations are untrue and we now accept Britney's position that the statements are without foundation. We apologize for any distress caused."
Spears pursued a libel action on this side of the Atlantic, rather than in the United States, because British and Irish laws are much more plaintiff-friendly.