Pop diva Beyonce Knowles has revealed the secret to a happy and long-lasting celebrity romance - keeping mum.

The "Destiny's Child" star has been dating rapper Jay-Z for three years but says the key to it working so well is because she keeps it so sacred, meaning she never talks about it, reported Sky News.

Beyonce admits that she's always been a bit hush-hush about her love life - even before she was famous. "Even in school I was private. It kept my name out of people's mouths. Not because I was ashamed of anything or because I wasn't passionate about who I was dating, but because it seemed more pure when I treated it like it was sacred," she said.

"I don't mind being vulnerable, but people scrutinise celebrities and make up stories. Then when everyone in the world is talking about you, it makes things really hard - not normal. I'm just a regular woman."

Meanwhile, friends have claimed the smitten pair - who make an enormous effort to keep away from celebrity photographers - are set to marry.