A 26-year-old Belgian car salesman, Clément Vandenkerckhove, has been officially recognized as the son of Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, after a DNA test confirmed his paternity.
Clément’s mother, Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten, had a relationship with Prince Laurent in the 1990s but revealed his identity as Clément’s father only when he was 16. Years later, Clément reached out to Laurent, and both agreed to take a DNA test, which confirmed their biological relationship.
The legal recognition grants Clément the same inheritance rights as Prince Laurent’s other children. However, he will not receive a royal allowance, carry out official royal duties, or have any claim to Belgium’s throne. Although he is eligible to adopt the royal surname Saxe-Coburg, Clément says he intends to keep his mother’s surname, Vandenkerckhove.
