The US pop singer Britney Spears (40, “Baby One More Time”) has apparently suffered a miscarriage. “It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the loss of our miracle baby early in pregnancy,” read a statement signed Sam and Britney on Spears’ Instagram account Saturday (local time).

Sam Asghari (28) is the singer’s partner and published the same message on his Instagram account. Spears proudly announced her pregnancy just over a month ago.

Such a loss is a shattering time for all parents, the statement continues. “Maybe we should have waited until we were further along to announce it, but we were so excited and wanted to share the good news. We will continue to try to enlarge our family. Our love for us is our strength,” the two continue. Fans and friends felt sorry for the couple: Paris Hilton, for example, wrote that she was so sorry for the loss. She is always there for Spears.

The singer has been engaged to Asghari since September. Just a few days ago, the two had declared that the wedding date had now been set – but without announcing it. Spears and Asghari met on the set of their 2016 music video “Slumber Party,” in which he played her lover. Spears has two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline: Sean Preston, 16, and Jayden James, 15. It would have been the dad premiere for the fitness trainer.

In 2008, the singer had a mental breakdown after a custody battle with ex-husband Federline over their little sons. At the time, Spears’ father was appointed guardian of his daughter.

After a bitter court battle, Spears was regained her freedom last November. In emotional hearings, she accused her father and other caregivers of totally controlling and enriching her.

Spears told the court last June that she would like to get married and have another child – but under guardianship she was not allowed to see a doctor to have her birth control coil removed. (dpa)