June 2, 2005 23:35

JACK WHITE MARRIES IN SOUTH AMERICA

The White Stripes frontman ties the knot in surprise ceremony…

Photo Gallery: The White Stripes

JACK WHITE has married in a surprise ceremony while on tour in South America.

The White Stripes frontman announced his marriage to the world via whitestripes.com tonight (June 2), revealing that he tied the knot while his band were in Manaus, Brazil to play at the city’s opera house.

The full statement from the band reads as follows:

“Karen Elson and Jack White were married yesterday on the confluence of three rivers – the Rio Negro, the Salimones and the Amazon – in the Amazon basin in the city of Manaus, Brazil. They were married by a traditional Shaman priest on a canoe at the exact place where the three rivers meet. The bride and groom were accompanied by a small party of close friends. The best man was Ian Montone. Meg White was the maid of honor. The ceremony was immediately followed by a blessing by a priest at a Catholic Cathedral called Igreja Matric in the historical city of Manaus. This was the first marriage for both newlyweds.”

Ian Montone is the band’s manager, while Jack White’s new spouse appeared in the video for recent single ’Blue Orchid’.

The sudden nature of the of the union, plus the final line of the official statement – “This was the first marriage for both newlyweds” – which contradicts suggestions that Jack and Meg were once a married couple has led some to question the news, however those around the band insist the wedding took place.

The White Stripes new album 'Get Behind Me Satan' is released this Monday (June 6).