A New Royal Status
Clément Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old former car salesman, has been officially recognized as the son of Prince Laurent of Belgium. The recognition, confirmed by a DNA test, marks the end of years of private speculation and public curiosity regarding the Prince’s eldest child, born before his 2003 marriage to Princess Claire.
While the legal recognition grants Vandenkerckhove the title of Prince and the right to use the surname Saxe-Coburg, his status within the Belgian monarchy is restricted. According to current royal rules and Belgian law, he will not receive state maintenance, will not enter the line of succession to the throne, and will not participate in official royal duties. This distinction separates his role from that of his half-siblings—Princess Louise, Prince Nicolas, and Prince Aymeric—who were born within Prince Laurent’s marriage.
The Path to Recognition
The journey toward official acknowledgment began long before the public announcement. Vandenkerckhove, born in 2000 to Prince Laurent and the Belgian singer Iris Vandenkerckhove (known by her stage name, Wendy Van Wanten), learned of his biological father’s identity at age 16. In his early twenties, he initiated contact, leading to a series of conversations and a mutually agreed-upon DNA test. The test confirmed the biological link with a 99.5% probability.
Prince Laurent publicly acknowledged his paternity in 2025, following a period of private reconciliation. In a statement, the Prince emphasized a sense of understanding and respect for all parties involved. For Vandenkerckhove, the recognition is a personal milestone rather than a professional shift, as he continues to honor his mother’s surname, which he has carried throughout his life.
Institutional Precedents
The situation mirrors the high-profile paternity case involving Princess Delphine, the illegitimate daughter of the former King Albert II. Following a lengthy legal battle, Albert II acknowledged his daughter in 2020 after a court-ordered DNA test. Like Delphine, Vandenkerckhove occupies a unique space in the royal family tree—recognized by blood and title, yet excluded from the financial and institutional structures provided to the core members of the House of Saxe-Coburg.
The 2013 Belgian law governing royal allowances remains the primary barrier to state funding for such family members. Financial support is strictly limited to King Philippe, former King Albert II, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid. Consequently, the addition of a new prince does not alter the fiscal burden on the state, nor does it impact the constitutional line of succession.