BRUSSELS — Prince Laurent and Princess Claire have denied their
marriage is on the rocks.

Opening a new ward of the Edith Cavel Hospital in Brussels on
Wednesday, the prince was thronged by the media demanding answers to
persistent rumours.

But the youngest son of King Albert denied he was having marital
problems.

And as it to prove it, Princess Claire, who is of British extraction,
accompanied him to the ceremony, broadcaster VRT reported.

Renewed rumours were sparked when Prince Laurent was shielded from
the media at a ceremony to open a training school for police dogs on
Tuesday.

One of the attending police officers later said Claire had left
Laurent and 

the prince didn't want any difficult questions.

It comes as little surprise, because just four months ago reports
surfaced about the royal couple's marriage problems after the prince
attended a New Year's Eve reception alone at the royal palace.

Several days later, Princess Claire was seen with her husband again
and the absence of the surveyor and real estate expert was attributed
to her "professional activities".

However, the royal house never confirms or denies rumours, Dutch-
language newspaper 'Het Nieuwsblad' reported on Wednesday.

A source told the newspaper that Claire, fed up with recent
arguments, had packed her bags and left for Chaumont-Gistoux, where
her parents live. She was still with her parents on Tuesday night.

However, mother Nicole Mertens denied Claire's marriage was over,
stressing that her daughter visits two or three times each week with
her baby, 16-month-old Louise.

The denials were later repeated by Claire as well, who opened up the
boot of her car at her parents house to show she simply had a black
leather bag with a few clothes in it.

"We three still form an excellent family," she said.

Nevertheless, the royal couple's security team has reportedly been
divided into two teams, one for Laurent and one for Claire. All leave
has been suspended to ensure the couple's safety.