Royal Revelation: Prince Laurent of Belgium Confirms Paternity of 25-Year-Old Son

As a journalistic expert providing a well-researched, analytical take with key insights and data, I’m Zoe Bennett, and I’m here to break down the latest royal news. The facts matter, and here’s what we know so far.

In a stunning revelation, Prince Laurent of Belgium, the younger brother of King Philippe, has publicly confirmed that he is the father of a 25-year-old son, Clement Vandenkerckhove. This news has sent shockwaves throughout the royal community, and we’re here to give you the lowdown. According to Belgian news outlet Belga, Prince Laurent confirmed the paternity on September 9, putting an end to long-standing rumors in the country.

The 61-year-old prince shares three children – Princess Louise, 21, as well as 19-year-old twins Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric – with his partner, Claire Coombs. However, Clement Vandenkerckhove is his son with Belgian actress and singer Wendy van Wanten, whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove. This development has significant implications for the royal family, although it doesn’t affect the line of succession in Belgium.

Prince Laurent isn’t the first member of the Belgian royal family to recognize an illegitimate child. In 2020, his father, King Albert II, confirmed that he was the father of 57-year-old Delphine Boël, now recognized as Princess Delphine, with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps. Delphine’s birth occurred during King Albert’s marriage to Queen Paola, to whom he has been married since 1959.

King Albert’s confirmation came after more than a decade of Delphine claiming his paternity. Baroness Sybille alleged that she and King Albert had an 18-year affair before he ascended to the throne. Following his confirmation of Delphine’s parentage, and after she met her half-brother King Philippe for the first time, King Albert shared a statement on the matter. “My wife and I are very happy with what has been achieved at the King’s initiative,” he said, “the beginnings of better days for everyone, and especially for Delphine.”

The Belgian royal family has been in the spotlight recently, with other notable developments. Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips, announced his engagement to Harriet Sperling on August 1 after more than a year of dating. Queen Camilla also made history with a new royal title, becoming the first woman to hold the honorary title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom.

In other royal news, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, pulled out of a planned appearance at the Royal Ascot due to her ongoing cancer battle. Meanwhile, Prince Harry lost an appeal to dismiss a decision in his security protection case. These developments highlight the complexities and challenges faced by the royal family in the modern era.

As we continue to follow the developments in the Belgian royal family, one thing is clear: the institution of monarchy is evolving, and the personal lives of its members are increasingly subject to scrutiny. With this confirmation of paternity, Prince Laurent has taken a significant step towards acknowledging his responsibilities as a father.

That wraps up today’s analysis. Stay informed, stay critical, and follow the facts.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Belga, Hello!, Royal Navy, BBC, NBC News
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed