Madonna's newly adopted daughter Chifundo 'Mercy' James leaves Malawi for new life in London

Mercy Chifundo James, the 3-year-old toddler adopted by Madonna, was secretly flown from her home country of Malawi into London early Saturday morning.

Mercy Chifundo James, the 3-year-old toddler adopted by Madonna, was secretly flown from her home country of Malawi into London early Saturday morning.

Chifundo "Mercy" James, the pop icon's newly adopted daughter, was reportedly flown out of her native Malawi by private jet on Friday and was expected to meet Madonna in London on Saturday morning.

British newspapers said Madonna headed to Malawi to pick up Chifundo (Mercy) James, but the Associated Press reported the 4-year-old was accompanied on the late Friday flight by a nanny, a nurse and an aide.

The flight capped an international adoption drama in which children's welfare groups accused Malawi of bending adoption rules for Madonna, who had adopted another children from the country.

Last Friday, Malawi High Court approved an appeal by the songstress to adopt Mercy after a lower court had denied her request. Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo cited Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi, which helps provide orphans with food, education and medical care, as part of the reason her petition was granted.

In a recent statement Madge couldn't hide her excitement about bringing home her new daughter: "I am ecstatic...My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her."

Mercy is the second child Madonna has rescued from Malawi, after adopting 3-year-old David Banda from the South African country last year. The adopted pair join older siblings Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, 8, both from previous relationships.