A 26-year-old Belgian car salesman has suddenly found himself with a royal title.
He has been formally recognised as the son of Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe.
Clément Vandenkerckhove’s mother, singer Wendy Van Wanten, revealed his father’s identity when he was 16.
Years later, Vandenkerckhove contacted Prince Laurent, who agreed to take a DNA test.
The result confirmed the long-hidden family connection.
The paternity was formally registered at a town hall ceremony around six months ago.
This gave Vandenkerckhove the same inheritance rights to his father’s private estate as Laurent’s other children.
Family Gains New Prince
But does becoming a prince mean royal palaces, public duties and a place in the line of succession? Not quite.
Vandenkerckhove will receive no royal allowance, carry no official responsibilities and have no claim to Belgium’s throne.
He can also keep his mother’s surname, something he says matters deeply to him.
“I am proud of the name Vandenkerckhove,” he said, describing changing it as a betrayal of his mother.
The story also echoes another Belgian royal paternity saga.
Prince Laurent’s father, former King Albert II, acknowledged his own daughter, Delphine Boël, in 2020 after a lengthy legal battle.
For Vandenkerckhove, however, this royal revelation appears less about crowns and more about finally knowing where he belongs.
