He is the prince who once compared his own family to the Stasi. He is the royal who gets speeding tickets in his Ferrari and then complains about his "modest" allowance. To the Belgian press, Prince Laurent of Belgium is the enfant terrible—the rebel who can’t quite fit into the gilded box of the monarchy. But if you look closer, past the headlines about diplomatic blunders and "eco-gaffes," you find a man who is deeply, almost painfully, human.
Honestly, being the younger brother of a King is a weird job. You have all the visibility and half the purpose. For Prince Laurent, this friction has defined a lifetime of public service and private frustration.
The Secret Son: A 25-Year Mystery Ends
In September 2025, Laurent did something that many thought would never happen. He admitted he has a son.
For a quarter of a century, whispers followed Flemish singer Wendy Van Wanten and her son, Clément Vandenkerckhove. The name "Clément" itself was seen as a wink to the Prince’s residence, Villa Clémentine. The resemblance? Uncanny. Yet, for years, there was only silence. Then, a bombshell. Laurent released a statement through the Belga News Agency confirming he is the biological father.
He didn't just sign a paper. He sat down and talked. He and Clément had been speaking "openly and honestly" for years before the public ever knew. In a documentary titled Clément, Son of…, the young man—now 25—shared how his mother told him as a child: "Your daddy is a prince."
It’s a heavy thing to carry. Clément isn't looking for a crown; he just wanted to go "have a beer with my dad" without the world wondering if it was true. Under a 2015 Royal Decree, he might actually be entitled to the title of Prince, but for now, the acknowledgment seems to be about peace rather than politics.
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The "Migrant" Prince and the Fight for Social Security
You’d think a guy with a €388,000 annual endowment wouldn't have money worries. You’d be wrong.
In early 2025, Prince Laurent of Belgium took the state to court. Why? He wanted access to the Belgian social security system. He argued that since he runs an animal welfare foundation and performs royal duties, he is essentially self-employed.
The court didn't buy it. In April 2025, they ruled his claim "groundless."
Laurent’s logic was, well, uniquely Laurent. He famously told the RTBF broadcaster: "When a migrant comes here, he registers, he has a right to it. I may be a migrant too, but one whose family established the state in place."
People rolled their eyes. But look at his perspective:
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- His "salary" is about €90,000; the rest of the endowment goes to staff and travel.
- He has no pension.
- When he dies, his wife, Princess Claire, gets nothing—no survivor's pension, no endowment.
He sees himself as a worker in a system that won't let him actually work. He once complained that he was "prevented" from having a normal career. It’s a gilded cage, and the bars are starting to feel very tight as he gets older.
The Animal Prince
If there is one place where Prince Laurent feels at home, it’s with animals. This isn't just a royal hobby. The Prince Laurent Foundation is a serious operation.
In late 2025, he inaugurated a brand-new veterinary clinic in Laeken. It’s bright, modern, and—crucially—designed for people who can't afford a private vet. His foundation has helped hundreds of thousands of pet owners across Belgium.
He’s a combat diver and a helicopter pilot by training, but his heart is clearly in these clinics. He’s often more comfortable talking to a dog owner in a waiting room than a diplomat at a gala. This is the "Eco-Prince" side of him that actually does the work. He’s been the Special Ambassador to the FAO for Forests and the Environment since 2014. He takes it seriously, even if he did once get his allowance cut for visiting the Chinese embassy without permission.
A Family in Tension
The relationship between Laurent and his brother, King Philippe, is... complicated. They are different men. Philippe is the steady hand, the rule-follower. Laurent is the spark that often catches the curtains on fire.
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There have been rumors of a marital crisis with Princess Claire for years, but they’ve stayed together through it all. They have three children—Louise, Nicolas, and Aymeric—who are now entering adulthood. As they grow up, Laurent’s focus has shifted from his own rebellion to their future security. That’s likely why the social security fight and the acknowledgment of Clément happened now. He’s tidying up the loose ends of a messy life.
What This Means for the Future
The Belgian monarchy is changing. With the recognition of Princess Delphine (King Albert’s daughter) and now Clément, the "hidden" side of the family is coming into the light.
If you're following the Belgian royals, keep an eye on these developments:
- Legal Recognition: Watch if Clément pursues a formal judicial recognition of paternity, which could trigger a title change.
- Financial Reforms: The Prince's social security loss might lead to a broader discussion about how the royal family is funded and what happens when they retire.
- Foundation Expansion: The new Brussels clinic is a template. Expect the foundation to push further into mobile veterinary care for the homeless.
Prince Laurent isn't going to stop being controversial. It’s in his DNA. But as he ages, the "rebel" is becoming more of a "realist." He’s a man trying to ensure his family is taken care of in a world that doesn't quite know what to do with a Prince who just wants to be a citizen.
To stay updated on the legal status of the royal endowment or the foundation’s work, you should check the official bulletins of the Belgian Monarchy or the Prince Laurent Foundation’s latest annual reports, which detail the specific clinic locations and services provided to low-income pet owners.