Brother of Belgian king acknowledges having 25-year-old son
Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, has a 25-year-old son. In a communication to Belga, the prince says he "publicly recognises" the paternity of Clement Vandenkerckhove, thereby confirming a widespread and long-running rumour. Laurent also has three children with Princess Claire, whom he married in 2003.
Prince Laurent, 61, is the third and youngest child of former King Albert II and Queen Paola, and brother of the present King Philippe and Princess Astrid. His rebellious nature and controversial public appearances have made him the "enfant terrible" of the royal family.
In the early 2000s, Laurent met his future wife, Claire Coombs, a surveyor from Chaumont-Gistoux. They married on 12 April 2003. They have three children together: Louise, born in 2004, and twins Nicolas and Aymeric, born the following year 2005. The couple still live together, despite rumours of a marital crisis, which Laurent has always denied.
There have long been rumours of Laurent having a child with actress and singer Wendy van Wanten, whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove. It was known she has a 25-year-old son called Clement. Laurent and Van Wanten, however, never fully confirmed the rumoured affair. In Tuesday's recognition , Laurent confirms the identity of his son.
Laurent's father, King Albert, also recognised an illegitimate child in 2020, after a long legal battle by the now Princess Delphine. Delphine was born during the marriage of Albert and Paola. The recognition of Delphine and Clement does not affect the succession to the throne.
The Royal Palace is not commenting on the matter.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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