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2 clusters · 89 sources · 3 days · First seen 24 days ago · Last updated 22 days ago

Recognition of Prince Laurent’s son

Overview

Prince Laurent of Belgium has formally recognized Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son. The recognition follows a DNA test that confirmed a 99.5 percent match between the Prince and Vandenkerckhove, who was born in August 2000 from a relationship between Prince Laurent and singer Wendy Van Wanten.

Although the legal recognition was finalized during a civil ceremony approximately six months ago, the details have only recently become public. As a result of this recognition, Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old former car salesman, is entitled to the title of Prince and holds equal inheritance rights to Prince Laurent’s private estate alongside his half-siblings, Princess Louise, Prince Nicolas, and Prince Aymeric.

Reports indicate that Vandenkerckhove’s mother revealed his true parentage to him when he was 16 years old. After establishing contact with Prince Laurent, a DNA test was conducted to confirm the biological relationship.

However, the recognition does not grant him an official public role, a royal allowance from the state, or a place in the Belgian line of succession. Regarding his surname, Vandenkerckhove has expressed pride in his current name and stated that abandoning it would feel like ‘a betrayal of his mother,’ leaving him undecided on whether to adopt the Saxe-Coburg family name.

Entities

Wendy Van Wanten · King Philippe of Belgium · Belgian Royal Family · Prince Laurent of Belgium · Clément Vandenkerckhove

Timeline

22 days ago

[CULTURE] 42 sources
Clément Vandenkerckhove recognized as son of Prince Laurent
A 26-year-old Belgian car salesman, Clément Vandenkerckhove, has been officially recognized as the son of Prince Laurent, granting him a royal title and inheritance rights to the prince's private estate.
24 days ago

[CULTURE] 47 sources
Prince Laurent of Belgium recognizes son Clément as a member of the royal family
Prince Laurent of Belgium has legally recognized his 26-year-old son, Clément Vandenkerckhove, as a prince. The former car salesman will not join the line of succession or hold official royal duties.

Sources

072info.com · 24sata.hr · abertoatedemadrugada.com · aeiou.pt · anglophone-direct.com · bbv-net.de · bergat.se · blikk.hu · bnn.de · brisant.de · brisbanetimes.com.au · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cancan.ro · capital.gr · cnn.co.jp · cnn.gr · czechschool.sk · dailymeezan.com · dattelner-morgenpost.de · denik.cz · e-thessalia.gr · efsyn.gr · egen.pl · ekriti.gr · english.publictv.in · epochtimes.com · euroweeklynews.com · faz.net · femina1912.fr · gazetedamga.com.tr · gelora.co · globalnews.ca · haberaktuel.com · heftig.de · hola.com · independent.co.uk · index.hu · indulgexpress.com · infomoney.com.br · it-boltwise.de · kesq.com · kion546.com · krdo.com · kvia.com · laopinion.com.co · larazon.es · liberoreporter.it · localnews8.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history