Belgian car salesman becomes prince after royal parentage confirmed

What the report says

Belgium’s Prince Laurent has legally recognised Clément Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old former car salesman, as his son and heir, according to BBC World News. The recognition follows a private family process and a town hall ceremony held about six months ago, though the details have only recently become public.

Vandenkerckhove is the son of Prince Laurent and Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten, whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove. The BBC reports that he had already spoken publicly about learning of his father’s identity as a teenager and later arranging a DNA test, which confirmed the relationship. He had previously met Laurent unexpectedly in a shopping centre in 2013, before knowing who he was.

Although he now formally holds princely status, Vandenkerckhove will not receive a royal allowance and will not join Belgium’s line of succession or official royal duties. The BBC notes that he is already familiar to many Belgians after appearing in a Flemish television documentary last year about his relationship with his father.

The development comes against the backdrop of Belgium’s broader royal paternity history, including the long-running case involving Laurent’s father, former King Albert II, and Delphine Boël. That earlier dispute helped keep public attention on questions of lineage and title within the Belgian monarchy.