Now Clément Vandenkerckhove will probably be able to afford to buy some of the cars he has sold after he officially became a member of the royal family
Belgium’s Prince Laurent has recognized his 26-year-old son – former car salesman Clément Vandenkerckhove – as his heir. Thus, the young man officially becomes a prince, but he will neither receive royal apanage nor stand in the line of succession. But he will still get a part of the family inheritance that you can imagine is significant.
Dutch media understands where things are going against efficient Bodø/Glimt
Vandenkerckhove is the result of a relationship between Prince Laurent and Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten – whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove. The relationship took place before Laurent married Princess Claire in 2003.
It was only when Clément was 16 years old that his mother revealed who his father really was. But it would take several years before he plucked up the courage to call.
“I’m proud of the name Vandenkerckhove”
In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad , the new prince says that he is still unsure whether he will start using his father’s surname Saxe-Coburg:
“I would like to, but I’m proud of the name Vandenkerckhove. If I were to sacrifice it, it would be a betrayal of everything my mother has done for me.
The formal recognition took place quietly six months ago at a town hall, but the details have only now come to light.
“The Beatles” are back at Abbey Road – 57 years later
Met by chance at a shopping mall
In a documentary on Flemish VTM in September last year, Clément told how he got to know his father. The first time they met was completely by chance – at a shopping mall in 2013.
“Jan had no idea who he was,” he said.
Four years later, he finally called Prince Laurent. After several phone calls, they met, and Laurent suggested a DNA test:
“We went to the hospital together, and I remember him saying, ‘I’ll go first, so you feel safe.’
The e-mail from the laboratory showed 99.5 percent compliance.
As a father – as a son
The DNA test is reminiscent of Prince Laurent’s own father – former King Albert II – who had to go through a lengthy paternity case. In 2020, Albert admitted that he had a daughter out of wedlock and recognized her as his own.
The artist Delphine Boël eventually won the court case and was given the title of princess – and now calls herself Delphine de Saxe-Coburg.
Albert II abdicated as king in 2013, after the paternity case became a royal scandal.
Prince – without apanage or inheritance rights
Clément Vandenkerckhove formally becomes a prince, but will not receive royal apanage. He will also not be part of Belgium’s line of succession, unlike his half-siblings – Princess Louise and Princes Aymeric and Nicolas – and he will not participate in official royal activities.
Under changes to Belgian law in 2013, only a few members of the royal family are entitled to public apanage – King Philippe, his father Albert II, Prince Laurent, and Princess Astrid.
