LAURENT & CLAIRE

Belgium was already abuzz with rumours about an engagement of Prince Laurent of Belgium and Claire Coombs since the beginning of 2002. On September 28th 2002 the Belgian tv-channel VTM reported that Laurent would get engaged to Claire in November, but November passed and nothing happened. However the rumours about an engagement became stronger and stronger and in the second week of December the date of December 19th was mentioned. On the 16th it was clear to the Belgian media that the engagement would take place indeed. From political circles it was said that the government would come together in a special meeting at 10:30 to give consent to the wedding. Prince Laurent himself kept silent. Some people who know Claire Coombs answered some questions of the press, but much more than that she had done the fifth grade of secondary school twice and that she was modest, reserved and energic didn't become known.

Thursday December 19th, just after 11:00 in the morning after a special meeting of the government of not even 15 minutes long, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt made the announcement that wasn't a surprise anymore. The government had given its consent to the wedding of Prince Laurent and Claire Coombs. According to article 85 of the Belgian constitution, second paragraph, a descendant of King Leopold I who marries without asking permission of the king is automatically stripped off his rights to the throne. Laurent thus had to ask permission from his father, after which the government had to discuss the issue. The Prime Minister told the press that he had met Claire Coombs for the first time on Monday December 16th at the royal palace.

At 15:20 the official presentation to the press of the engaged couple took place in the royal serres at the Palace of Laeken. The couple was accompanied by the whole family, including little Princess Elisabeth, 'walking' in public for the first time and stealing the show. After a short photo session questions of the press were answered in Dutch and French, followed by a reception for family and press. Although Claire doesn't speak very well Dutch, she gave it a try, being helped by Prince Laurent from time to time. She had Dutch at school, followed a Dutch course in Spa recently and now has a trainee job at a surveyor office in Berchem near Antwerpen to improve her Dutch. At home she is used to speak English. In the beginning of the evening Laurent and Claire with their families attended the traditional classical Christmas concert at the royal palace in Brussels.

The newly engaged couple looked quite at ease, while it was the press that was nervous this time. Prince Laurent started telling that 'the fact that we are together now, is is probably less mathematic, but we are now with two, but we become one.' Asked what attracted her in Laurent, Claire answered that she liked his sensitiveness and generosity. Laurent told she is 'the one' because she is honest, spontaneous and likes children. Claire was also asked about her job and she told that she and Laurent had decided that she keeps on working as they think it should be possible to combine her job with royal duties. She is not afraid for anything right now. 'It might be naive, but I will see what happens.' The couple also told that they very much hope to have two children. At home they are planning to speak English. After their marriage they will live at the Villa Clémentine in Tervuren, where Laurent already lives.

Laurent and Claire told the press they have met some two years ago during a dinner at the house of friends near Brussels. Claire was there with a female friend of her. After dinner Laurent started cleaning and washing up and Claire helped him. They didn't talk very much. They met again some two months later. It wasn't love at first sight, but their relationship slowly grew. About six months ago they decided to get married. Being asked how Laurent proposed Claire, Laurent became red looked at Claire and they both started laughing, but no answer was given. They share their love for nature and animals, but as Laurent romantically closed the interview: 'Our greatest passion is to be together.'

I am very much looking forward to the wedding in Brussels on April 12, 2003, that most likely will take place at the St Michiels and St Goedele Cathedral where also Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde got married on December 4, 1999.