(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Beyonc Knowles turned 30-years-old yesterday but she is still continuing to celebrate her big milestone.

The singer, who announced she is expecting her first baby last week, enjoyed time on a luxury yacht in Venice, Italy today surrounded by celebrity friends.

The Single Ladies star was seen onboard "Odessa" with her rapper husband Jay-Z and was also joined by her close friends Gwyneth Paltrow and Erykah Badu.

Beyonc was seen at one point taking a moment to pat her growing baby bump and looked down at her stomach in awe.

The excited mother-to-be spent time earlier in the day soaking up the sun with Jay-Z on the top deck of the boat.

Gwyneth was later pictured handing over what looked like a birthday card to the birthday girl while Jay-Z smiled and looked on.

The Oscar-winner is going to be on hand to give Beyonc some mothering advice as she is proud parent to her own two children, daughter Apple, six, and Moses, five.

Gwyneth is also in the romantic city to promote her new film Contagion at the Venice Film Festival.

Beyonc showed off her baby bump for the first time at last week's MTV Video Music Awards by telling the assembled press that she had a "surprise".

"I always said I was going to have a baby at 30," she teased to Piers Morgan in June. "I'm 29 now."

A host of stars have expressed their delight following Beyonc's announcement it's reported. Her Destiny's Child bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams have both sent their well wishes, along with Rihanna and even Oprah Winfrey. (C) Cover Media