A 26-year-old auto salesperson in Belgium gained royal recognition after a DNA test confirmed he is the biological son of Prince Laurent, granting him the title of “Prince” but not royal duties or inheritance rights.
Clément Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old graphic design graduate who once sold cars in Deinze, Belgium, learned in 2016 that he was the biological son of Prince Laurent, the brother of King Philippe. While the title “Prince” was granted, Vandenkerckhove will not receive a royal stipend, hold official duties, or inherit the throne. His decision to retain his mother’s surname, Vandenkerckhove, has drawn attention as he balances his new status with his working-class roots.
A Life Transformed by a DNA Test
Vandenkerckhove’s journey began in 2000, when he was born to Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten (real name Iris Vandenkerckhove) and Prince Laurent, whose affair in the 1990s remained secret for decades. At 16, he learned of his biological father’s identity and contacted Laurent four years later. The prince, who had previously denied paternity in a 2020 case involving Delphine Boël, publicly acknowledged Vandenkerckhove in September 2025. A DNA test confirmed the link, and the pair finalized the legal recognition in a low-key ceremony earlier this year, according to Sozcu and Son Dakika.
The revelation upended Vandenkerckhove’s life. Before the test, he worked as an Opel sales representative, a role he maintained even after the royal acknowledgment. I am proud of the Vandenkerckhove name, he told Gazete Oksijen, emphasizing his loyalty to his mother, who raised him alone. He has yet to adopt the Saxe-Coburg surname tied to the royal family, a choice that underscores his complex relationship with his new identity.
Legal and Inheritance Implications
While Vandenkerckhove gained the title of “Prince,” Belgian law limits his rights. He will not receive a royal stipend, hold official roles, or inherit the throne. However, he is now entitled to an equal share of Prince Laurent’s private wealth alongside the prince’s three other children, as reported by Muhalif and Haberay. This mirrors the 2020 case of Delphine Boël, who secured similar inheritance rights after a decades-long legal battle.
Prince Laurent’s decision to acknowledge Vandenkerckhove marks a departure from his past denial of paternity in the Boël case.
The Human Side of a Royal Revelation
Vandenkerckhove’s story has resonated beyond legal and financial details. In a 2025 interview, he described the emotional weight of the discovery: If I gave up the Vandenkerckhove name, I would betray everything my mother did for me. His journey from a modest career to royal recognition highlights the personal stakes of such revelations, particularly for those raised without knowledge of their biological heritage.
The case also raises questions about the future of Belgium’s royal family. While Vandenkerckhove’s status is largely symbolic, his story underscores the ongoing tensions between tradition and modernity in European monarchies. As he navigates his dual identity, the question remains: will he eventually adopt the Saxe-Coburg name, or will the Vandenkerckhove legacy remain his defining mark?
For now, Vandenkerckhove has not announced plans to change his surname, leaving the royal family’s next steps uncertain. His case sets a precedent for future claims but also highlights the limitations of royal recognition in Belgium. As the nation watches, the story of a car salesperson turned prince continues to unfold, blending personal triumph with the weight of historical precedent.
