What is going on with Laurent & Claire?

[Sas]

Strange rumours about Laurent and Claire in the Belgian news. Last public engagement for princess Claire was 7 weeks ago and she cancelled her attendance for a few events. When the press asked Laurent about Claire, he said that she won't come anymore. Of course, that statement resulted in rumours about a possible divorce. This morning Laurent and Claire officially denied the 'lies' in the news and asked the press to respect their privacy. According newspaper HLN the marriage is fine, but Laurent wants Claire to stay home as a protest because he receives less money from the government this year 

http://www.gva.be/nieuws/...e-komt-niet-meer-mee.aspx
http://www.demorgen.be/dm...1/31/Waar-is-Claire.dhtml
http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/...blijft-Claire-thuis.dhtml

[lellobeetle]

No wonder he used her birthday to declare his love and gratitude for her. 

http://royalmusingsblogsp...-of-belgium-is-their.html

A "very sad" Prince Laurent of Belgium commented today on the absence of his wife, Princess Claire.  The princess has not been seen in public for more than seven weeks.

Prince Laurent was asked if Princess Claire was ill.  He said no. adding: "She is no longer with me."

Only two weeks ago, on the occasion of Princess Claire's 40th birthday, Prince Laurent spoke publicly about how much he loves her,  the wonderful children they have together, and  "every day is a blessing to live and share with her."

Prince Laurent made his comments while visiting an art exhibit.  Princess Claire was last seen in public on December 11 at a Christmas concert at the Royal Palace.

Two weeks later, it appears that the love may have cooled.  It is obvious that Prince Laurent is suffering emotional stress.

Prince Laurent married the British-born Claire Coombs in 2003.  They have three children:  Princess Louise, 9, and eight-year-old twins, Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric.

[duchesse]

Seems that the rumours were false ... for the moment anyway. L&C made a joint appearance at the opening of a renovated building in Brussels.

http://royalmusingsblogsp...ire-appear-togetther.html
http://www.gva.be/nieuws/...-prinses-claire-weer.aspx

I wonder why Laurent even said that she is not with him in the first place!? Its all very odd.

[hanzo1]

How can she be married to him is a mystery

[fairy]

Are the translations to those very strange comments accurate? Because to say: "she won't come anymore" and " she is no longer with me" sounds as if he is rehearsing what to say once he has quietly buried her in the wooded backyard.

[My13]

Are the translations to those very strange comments accurate? Because to say: "she won't come anymore" and " she is no longer with me" sounds as if he is rehearsing what to say once he has quietly buried her in the wooded backyard.

Someone on another board said it was a bad translation, he was talking about Claire coming to official events.

I know they denied the rumor and have denied separation rumors before, but it's weird how the separation rumors pop up so frequently with these two. IIRC, there have been separation rumors every few years since 2004/2005. IMHO there wouldn't be this much smoke without a fire, but we'll see.

[Tinika]

How can she be married to him is a mystery

Why? I've never quite understood the Laurent hate.  He's a bit overweight, but that's all.

[hanzo1]

he is ridiculous and creepy

[My13]

Why? I've never quite understood the Laurent hate.  He's a bit overweight, but that's all.

I haven't been following the BRF lately, but from memory, his ex-girlfriend said he physically abused her, he admitted to misusing taxpayer money, he's visited dictatorships without permission.

[Tinika]

Why? I've never quite understood the Laurent hate.  He's a bit overweight, but that's all.

I haven't been following the BRF lately, but from memory, his ex-girlfriend said he physically abused her, he admitted to misusing taxpayer money, he's visited dictatorships without permission.

OH! Well, that's another kettle of fish.  Thanks for the info. 

I suppose the solution to the mystery, then, is that there are plenty of people out there who will do anything for money.

[Miss Marple]

Maybe he just wanted a headline? 

[Marie]

Seems that the rumours were false ... for the moment anyway. L&C made a joint appearance at the opening of a renovated building in Brussels.

http://royalmusingsblogsp...ire-appear-togetther.html
http://www.gva.be/nieuws/...-prinses-claire-weer.aspx

I wonder why Laurent even said that she is not with him in the first place!? Its all very odd.

Frankly, she's not very pretty either !

[DowntownTO]

Hasn't she murdered him yet? Honestly, girl, get it together . . .

[pixiecat]

Hasn't she murdered him yet? Honestly, girl, get it together . . .

 

The only nice thing I have to say about Laurent is that he is the patron of several animal charities. 

Otherwise, he's a big, steaming pile of douche.  He's apparently had meltdowns in public a few times; one of which was on an airplane where he threw a fit about not being given the royal treatment.  I feel sorry for him to a small extent.  His own father accused his mother of getting pregnant by another man and claimed Laurent wasn't his son (he looks too much like Albert for me to believe that).  I'm sure he had a messed up childhood.  However, that doesn't excuse the alleged physical abuse of his girlfriend, the visits to dictatorships, and the public meltdowns.  Claire doesn't necessarily strike me as a gold-digger, so either she's gunning for sainthood or she is hallucinating and sees something in him that the rest of the world does not.

[jigmesjigga]

Are the translations to those very strange comments accurate? Because to say: "she won't come anymore" and " she is no longer with me" sounds as if he is rehearsing what to say once he has quietly buried her in the wooded backyard.

  That's exactly what I thought it sounded like too.  Ha!

Still adds fuel to the mystery that is his illness and Paola's statement directed at Claire.  Poor Claire - she's already married to him, does she have to raise a 50-something ruined brat too?  I suspect suicide attempt - what does he have to live for if she won't put up with him either?