Belgian Prince Laurent Confirms Paternity of 25-Year-Old Son

Prince Laurent of Belgium, younger brother of King Philippe, publicly acknowledged that he is the biological father of 25-year-old Clement Vandenkerckhove, ending years of speculation. The prince made the announcement following joint consultation and expressed a desire for discretion regarding the intimate matter. Clement's mother is Wendy Van Wanten, a Flemish actress and singer, with whom Prince Laurent had a relationship in the mid-1990s before marrying Princess Claire in 2003. The recognition of Clement does not affect the royal line of succession. This revelation follows a similar acknowledgment by King Albert II in 2020 of a daughter born outside his marriage, underscoring a recent trend of the Belgian royal family publicly addressing previously private paternity matters. The Belgian Royal Palace has not commented on Prince Laurent's announcement.