Belgian Former Car Salesman, 26, Quietly Becomes a Prince
The 26-year-old former car salesman gains a royal title and inheritance claim, but remains outside Belgium’s line of succession and allowance system.
- Belgium has a new prince after 26-year-old Clement Vandenkerckhove was recognized by Prince Laurent, King Philippe's brother, granting the former car salesman a royal title and inheritance claim.
- Prince Laurent publicly acknowledged Vandenkerckhove last year, who was born during the royal's seven-year relationship with Flemish former model Iris Vandenkerckhove, before Laurent married British-born Claire Louise Coombs.
- A low-key town hall ceremony in February incorporated Vandenkerckhove into the royal family, a legal process required for him to obtain his new prince title, which was disclosed Wednesday.
- Vandenkerckhove spoke about childhood anxiety over his identity, saying, "My whole childhood I struggled with the question, 'Who is my father?'" while remaining proud of his mother's surname.
- Despite his title, Vandenkerckhove is not included in the line of succession and receives no royal allowance; he said, "What matters most to me right now is that I am a son who is allowed to get to know his father.
33 Articles
33 Articles
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Su-jin = A 26-year-old man working as a car salesman in Belgium was belatedly recognized as having royal blood and obtained the status of a prince.
Former Belgian Car Salesman Is Now a Prince
A onetime Belgian car salesman has acquired a title with unique bragging rights: that of prince. Clement Vandenkerckhove, 26, quietly received the royal title six months ago, though the news only surfaced this week, reports the BBC . Vandenkerckhove is the legally recognized son of Belgium's Prince Laurent, following a DNA...
Prince Laurent of Belgium recognized a 26-year-old car dealer as his son.
Clément Vandenkerckhove was the result of the relationship between Laurent and Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten. She was 16 when her mother revealed her father's identity. New prince will not receive a royal allowance.
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