Shakira and Piqué burgled

Neither Shakira, 41, nor Piqué, 31 was at home at the time, since the former was performing at Cologne's (Germany's) Laxness Arena as part of her El Dorado World Tour, and the latter was in the audience, his last moment of relaxation before he joined the rest of the Spanish team in Russia for the FIFA World Cup.

Piqué's parents were house-sitting, although it has not been revealed whether they were also babysitting their grandchildren, Milan, five and Sasha, three, or whether the boys were with their parents.

Nobody was hurt and no violence involved, and Piqué's mum and dad slept through the break-in.

As yet, the couple has been unable to confirm what has been stolen.

For Shakira, 2018 is proving to be an annus horribilis – even though media speculation about a possible split from Piqué has shown itself to be unfounded, the half-Lebanese, quarter-Spanish artist has only just returned to work after having to cancel her tour midway through due to vocal chord haemorrhaging which required surgery.

She is also under the spotlight for alleged undeclared taxes amounting to €1 million, which her accountants did not make the Spanish authorities aware of because Shakira was only in Spain for a few weeks of that year, due to being on tour.

Despite the case likely being an issue of interpretation of fiscal laws and the singer-songwriter's finances being entirely handled by contracted professionals, the stigma for Shakira has reportedly taken its toll on her – especially as the sum involved, being over €120,000, means she is automatically under criminal investigation and could face a suspended prison sentence.

Reports earlier this year even claimed the pressure and anxiety resulting from the case was making her trademark blonde hair fall out, forcing her to seek expert treatment.

Piqué has not had a good year, either – Spanish fans subjected him to insults at the end of 2017 after he voiced his opinions on Catalunya's disputed independence referendum.

Although it is not thought he supports the region becoming a separate country, he staunchly defended his home territory's right to vote, and posted a photograph of himself on social media placing his slip in a ballot box.