Belgium’s royal family has a new prince after Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, formally recognised 26-year-old Clement Vandenkerckhove as his son. Vandenkerckhove, who previously worked as a car salesman, is the son of Laurent and Belgian singer and former model Iris Vandenkerckhove, known professionally as Wendy Van Wanten.
The legal recognition is understood to have taken place at a private civil ceremony several months ago. However, details of the development only became public this week.
According to BBC News, Vandenkerckhove has now been legally recognised as Laurent’s son and heir. His journey into Belgium’s royal family follows years of uncertainty over his parentage.
Laurent publicly confirmed in September 2025 that he was Clement’s biological father, bringing an end to long-running speculation. A DNA test reportedly found a 99.5 per cent match between the two.
The Independent reported that Clement was quietly welcomed into Laurent’s family during a ceremony around six months ago. The move came after the prince publicly acknowledged his paternity the previous year.
The legal recognition gives Clement the status of Prince Laurent’s son and allows him to inherit from his father’s private estate alongside Laurent’s three other children — Princess Louise and twins Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric.
However, his recognition does not place him in the line of succession to the Belgian throne.
The New York Times, cited in contemporary reports, said Clement is not expected to carry out official royal duties. He will also not receive a state allowance or hold a place in the succession to the Belgian crown.
His new status therefore establishes his legal connection to the royal family without giving him a role in Belgium’s monarchy. Public funding rules for members of the royal family also mean he will not receive a royal allowance.
Clement was born in August 2000, before Laurent married Claire Coombs in 2003. His mother, Wendy Van Wanten, had been in a relationship with Laurent during the 1990s.
For years, Clement’s father was the subject of speculation. The issue came back into the spotlight in 2025 when Clement appeared in a Flemish television documentary and discussed his family background.
Laurent later confirmed that he was Clement’s father, saying the two had discussed the matter privately and had been open about it in recent years.
The reported 99.5 per cent DNA match further established the biological relationship. Clement has since developed a relationship with Laurent and has spoken about their meetings and shared passion for cars.
BBC reported that while the legal recognition gives Clement the title of Prince of Belgium, it does not come with the responsibilities or privileges normally associated with senior members of the royal family.
He will not receive a public royal allowance, carry out official royal duties or enter the line of succession to the Belgian throne.