Beyonce spotted shopping for an apartment amid marriage breakup rumours

Beyonce and Jay Z have been keen to put rumours to bed their marriage is on the rocks over the last few weeks, with public PDA's, family days out, and loved up photos.

But just as we were starting to be convinced, it's been revealed the superstar is reportedly hunting for a New York apartment without her husband.

According to the New York Post, the singer is hunting "on the sly" and even checked out a $21.5million apartment in Chelsea earlier this month - shortly after her sister was filmed attacking Jay in a lift.

Ouch.

“She was very quiet, as if she was looking on the sly,” a source told the newspaper.

Sources added that while Jay is often heavily involved in their real estate decisions - he was nowhere to be seen on this occasion.

According to the publication, the new West 19th Street apartment is less than half the size of the couple's Tribeca home.

(Which we would hardly find difficult - but for Bey, it's a down size).

A source added: "I can say with certainty that Jay is not downsizing."

Sources told the paper it appeared the new place would be for Beyonce and daughter Blue, and added:

"There’s no way a $20 million apartment is for her mother or her sister. That would be wildly unlikely."

We have contacted Beyonce's reps for comment.

It comes amid reports the pair's marriage is crumbling - despite their constant displays of affection.

A source close to the coupe told Page Six that things have been bad between the pair for quite some time.

“There’s still something there, even though it’s not going to last,” says the source. “Business is always part of the equation. They know they’re the king and queen of hip-hop — and really, all of music. Neither wants to lose that.”