Heidi Klum, Seal confirm their separation

Friends and family of supermodel Heidi Klum and her husband, R&B singer Seal, expressed surprise and regret Monday over news that the couple is separating after seven years of marriage.

"We are very sad," Klum's father, German cosmetics executive Gunther Klum, told Us Weekly, noting he had yet to speak with his daughter about the news. Niche Media founder Jason Binn, a longtime friend of Klum's and a Hamptons social figure, told People magazine, "All this is just shocking to me. I've only seen them as the most loving couple."

Following rumors over the weekend that Klum, 38, was seeking a divorce, she and Seal, 48, released a statement late Sunday night explaining, "While we have enjoyed seven very loving, loyal and happy years of marriage, after much soul-searching we have decided to separate. We have had the deepest respect for one another throughout our relationship and continue to love each other very much, but we have grown apart."

The statement went on to say, "This is an amicable process and protecting the well-being of our children remains our top priority, especially during this time of transition. We thank our family, friends and fans for their kind words of support. And for our children's sake, we appreciate you respecting our privacy."

The couple have three biological children together -- Henry, 6, Johan, 5, and Lou, 2 -- and in 2009 Seal adopted Klum's daughter Leni, 7, from the model's relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore.

Seal was scheduled to shoot two segments of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in Los Angeles Monday for airing Tuesday, reported TMZ.com. The singer was photographed Monday wearing his wedding ring as he entered a Los Angeles recording studio. His latest album, "Soul 2," drops Tuesday.