Prince Laurent of Belgium Recognizes Son Clément: From Car Salesman to Prince at 26

Prince Laurent of Belgium, the brother of King Philippe, has legally recognized 26-year-old former car salesman Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son and heir, according to reports from outlets including iO Donna and La Stampa. Although the formal recognition ceremony took place roughly six months ago in a local municipality, the details only recently came to public attention. The young man has secured the title of prince through the process, but he will not receive a royal allowance from the state.

Origins and Discovery of Royal Paternity

Clément Vandenkerckhove was born from a prior relationship between Prince Laurent and Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten, whose legal name is Iris Vandenkerckhove, as reported by the primary source material. According to La Stampa, the 26-year-old first learned about his royal lineage at age 16 when his mother revealed the truth to him. It took another four years before he gathered the resolve to dial the prince’s telephone number, setting off a chain of events that led to formal confirmation.

DNA Testing and the First Encounter

The initial meeting occurred entirely by chance in 2013 at a shopping center, according to iO Donna, before the teenager had any idea who he was addressing. Following subsequent phone conversations, Prince Laurent suggested undergoing a genetic test to verify the familial link. La Stampa notes that the prince went to the hospital first for the blood draw to put the young man at ease. Laboratory results subsequently confirmed the biological father-son match with a 99.5% accuracy rate, as detailed by the primary sources.

Royal Title Without the State Stipend

While the municipal recognition grants Clément the status of prince, concrete boundaries define his integration into the monarchy. According to iO Donna, the arrangement dictates that he will not receive an appannage from public funds, nor will he join the official line of succession to the throne or participate in royal engagements. Furthermore, the young man has expressed hesitation about dropping his maternal surname. La Stampa reports that Clément told the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad he remains proud of the Vandenkerckhove name and views abandoning it as a betrayal of the sacrifices his mother made to raise him.

Precedents Within the Belgian Monarchy

This situation echoes a prior high-profile family recognition within the Belgian royal house. As reported by La Stampa, former King Albert II—father to both King Philippe and Prince Laurent—formally recognized artist Delphine Boël as his daughter in 2020 following a lengthy court battle, granting her the title of Princess Delphine of Saxe-Coburg. By contrast, iO Donna notes that Prince Laurent managed his situation through private agreement and a much more discreet, voluntary process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Clément Vandenkerckhove’s mother?

His mother is the Belgian singer and model Wendy Van Wanten, whose legal name is Iris Vandenkerckhove, according to reports from iO Donna.

Does Clément Vandenkerckhove receive money from the Belgian crown?

No. According to La Stampa, the agreement explicitly states he will not receive a royal allowance or appannage from the state.

Is Clément in the line of succession for the Belgian throne?

No, unlike Prince Laurent’s other children—Louise, Nicolas, and Aymeric—Clément is not included in the line of succession, as reported by La Stampa.