She has been married to Prince Laurent since 2003 and is the sister-in-law of King Philippe of Belgium.

She is the daughter of Nicholas John Coombs (Bath, 14 April 1938), a British-born businessman, and his Belgian wife, Nicole Eva Gabrielle Thérèse Mertens (Ixelles, 20 June 1951).

She occasionally appears in public accompanying her husband, generally in support of environmental causes or animal charities.

She is also a leading patron of the Brussels Choral Society, which sang at the religious part of her marriage ceremony.

[citation needed] Coombs received the title Princess of Belgium from the King ten days before her marriage, by Royal Decree of 1 April 2003 (effective as of the date of the wedding, on 12 April 2003).