Belgian Prince Laurent Legally Recognises Son Clément

Prince Laurent of Belgium has officially recognised Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son at the civil registry, formalising a familial relationship that was publicly acknowledged nearly a year ago. The legal recognition, which reportedly took place in February 2026 but was only made public on Wednesday, makes the 26-year-old a full heir of the prince and grants him the title of Prince of Belgium.

The news was first reported by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir and confirmed to VRT NWS by Frans Vancoppenolle, the partner of Clément’s mother Iris Vandenkerckhove, better known as Flemish singer Wendy Van Wanten. “That happened months ago,” Vancoppenolle said.

A Formal Recognition Years in the Making

The legal recognition at the civil registry follows Prince Laurent’s public acknowledgment in September 2025, when he issued a statement through the Belga news agency declaring himself Clément’s biological father. “With this message I acknowledge being the biological father of Clément Vandenkerckhove,” the prince said at the time, as reported by VRT NWS. “In recent years we have spoken openly and honestly about this.”

The paternity was confirmed by a DNA test that matched the genetic link between father and son with 99.5 percent certainty. According to VRT NWS, the test was proposed by Prince Laurent himself, and the two underwent the procedure together at a hospital.

The relationship between Laurent and Iris Vandenkerckhove dates back to the mid-1990s, when they met at a fashion show in Paris. Clément was born in August 2000 in Ostend, and rumours about his paternity circulated for decades before the prince’s public statement last year.

What the Legal Recognition Means

The legal recognition carries significant consequences. Clément now becomes a full heir of Prince Laurent with the same inheritance rights as his three legitimate children—Princess Louise and twins Nicolas and Aymeric. He also gains the right to bear his father’s surname, von Sachsen-Coburg.

However, Clément has indicated he may not change his name. “Sacrificing that family name would be treason to everything my mother has done for me,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. Vancoppenolle confirmed that “Clément will decide for himself whether he changes his name.”

The recognition also confers the title of Prince of Belgium. Constitutional law expert Christian Behrendt from the University of Liège confirmed to Le Soir Magazine that the title is granted automatically once parentage has been legally established, as reported by The Brussels Times. However, to officially use the title, a royal decree signed by King Philippe and the government is still required.

No Allowance, No Succession Rights

Despite the formal recognition, Clément will not receive a royal allowance, just like the children of Prince Laurent and Princess Claire. He also cannot claim succession to the Belgian throne because he was born out of wedlock.

The case follows a significant precedent in the Belgian royal family. In 2020, Princess Delphine—formerly Delphine Boël—was legally recognised as the daughter of King Albert II after a long court battle. Her case established that illegitimate children of Belgian monarchs can claim the title of Prince or Princess of Belgium, as noted by The Brussels Times.

A New Chapter

For Clément, the legal recognition marks the culmination of a journey that began when he first contacted his father by phone in 2020 at age 20. In interviews following the public acknowledgment, he described the emotional first call: “My heart was pounding in my throat,” he said, recalling the 40-minute conversation.

In a recent interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Clément spoke warmly about his relationship with his father. “If I call my father to ask: ‘Shall we do something tomorrow?’, he always makes time for me,” he said, as reported by DH Net. “Really, my life couldn’t be better right now.”

Looking ahead, the key remaining step is the royal decree that would formally allow Clément to use the title of Prince of Belgium. While the legal recognition is complete, the formal confirmation from the King and government will cement his new status within the royal family.