In a quiet ceremony at a Belgian town hall six months ago, Clément Vandenkerckhove, a 26‑year‑old car salesman, was formally recognized as the son of Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe. The acknowledgment came after a DNA test confirmed his paternity, making Vandenkerckhove a member of the royal family.
Family background and discovery
Vandenkerckhove was born in August 2000 to Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten, whose legal name is Iris Vandenkerckhove. In the 1990s, Van Wanten and Prince Laurent met at a fashion show in Paris and briefly dated. Their relationship ended, and the singer kept the identity of Vandenkerckhove’s father private until he turned 16, when she disclosed that Laurent was his biological parent.
Four years after that revelation, Vandenkerckhove reached out to Laurent, who agreed to a DNA test. “We went to the hospital together and I remember him saying, ‘I’ll go first so you’re feeling at ease,’” Vandenkerckhove told Belgian broadcaster VTM. The test confirmed the link, prompting Laurent to register his paternity with Belgium’s civil registry.
Legal and financial implications
With the civil registration complete, Vandenkerckhove now holds the same inheritance rights to Prince Laurent’s private estate as Laurent’s other children: half‑sister Princess Louise, 20, and half‑brothers Prince Nicolas, 20, and Prince Aymeric, 19, all born to Laurent’s wife Princess Claire, whom he married in 2003. However, the new prince will not receive a royal allowance, nor will he be expected to perform any official duties, and he has no claim to the Belgian throne.
He could adopt the family name Saxe‑Coburg, but Vandenkerckhove has expressed a desire to retain his birth name, saying, “I am proud of the name Vandenkerckhove. If I were to sacrifice that family name, it would be a betrayal of everything my mother has done for me.”
Historical context
This development follows a pattern of previously concealed royal relationships in Belgium. In 2020, King Philippe’s father, the former king, acknowledged a daughter born from an affair after a lengthy paternity battle. The daughter, Delphine Boël, now uses the title Princess Delphine de Saxe‑Coburg.
The recent acknowledgment of Vandenkerckhove adds another chapter to the modern history of the Belgian monarchy, highlighting how DNA technology can resolve long‑standing questions of lineage while also raising questions about the role of unofficial heirs within a constitutional monarchy.
Public reaction
Belgian media have reported the story with a focus on the legal ramifications and the personal statements of those involved. The royal family has emphasized that the recognition is a private family matter and does not affect the line of succession.
For now, Vandenkerckhove continues his work as a car salesman, balancing his new royal status with his everyday life. The ceremony and the DNA confirmation have brought closure to a decades‑long mystery for both him and his mother.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
