Belgian car salesman becomes prince after DNA test proves royal parentage

Key Points:

• Clément Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old Belgian car salesman, has been legally recognized as the son of Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, following a DNA test and a low-key ceremony six months ago.
• This recognition grants Vandenkerckhove equal inheritance rights to Prince Laurent’s private estate alongside his half-siblings but does not entitle him to a royal allowance, official duties, or succession rights to the Belgian throne.
• Vandenkerckhove, born to singer Wendy Van Wanten in 2000, was informed of his royal paternity at age 16 and chose to maintain his maternal family name rather than adopting the royal Saxe-Coburg name.
• The relationship between Prince Laurent and Vandenkerckhove’s mother dates back to the 1990s, and the paternity revelation follows a history of similar family disclosures, including Prince Laurent’s father admitting to fathering an illegitimate daughter in 2020.
• Since confirming paternity, Vandenkerckhove and Prince Laurent have maintained open communication, marking a significant personal and legal development within the Belgian royal family.