Prince Laurent of Belgium, King Philippe’s younger brother, has “publicly acknowledged” that he has an illegitimate, 25-year-old son. The third and youngest child of King Albert II made the public announcement on Tuesday.
The Belgian royal, 61, revealed that he fathered Clement Vandenkerckhove when he was in a relationship with Flemish model and singer Wendy van Wanten before his marriage to Princess Claire in 2003. According to local media, rumours about his relationship with the Flemish model, whom he met sometime in the 1990s, had been circulating for years, but there was never any confirmation until now.
The 61-year-old said in a statement to Belga News Agency: “With this announcement, I acknowledge that I am the biological father of Clement Vandenkerckhove. We have spoken openly and honestly about this in recent years.
“This announcement is based on a sense of understanding and respect for those involved. It is the result of joint consultation.
“I kindly request that you receive this information with the discretion that the nature of this intimate matter requires. I will not make any further statements or provide any further explanation on this matter.”
The Belgian royal palace declined to comment on the announcement.
Laurent shares another three children with Princess Claire, whom he is still married to: Princess Louise, born in 2003 and twin Princes Nicholas and Aymeric, born in 2005.
The prince is not the only Belgian royal who has made such a bombshell announcement.
His father, King Albert II, also recognised an illegitimate child after a long legal battle by the now Princess Delphine.
Delphine was born in 1968, after Albert’s affair with Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps, during his marriage to Queen Paola.
According to Belga, the recognition of Delphine and Clement does not affect the succession to the Belgian throne.