Belgium car salesman discovers he is a prince’s son

Clement Vandenkerckhove, a 26-year-old car salesman from Belgium, recently learned he is the son of Prince Laurent of Belgium, the younger brother of King Philippe. This newfound status makes him a member of one of Europe's oldest royal houses and entitles him to an equal share of his father's estate. The revelation came after a small, procedural ceremony at a town hall, which was largely unnoticed until a Belgian weekly magazine reported on it.

Vandenkerckhove, whose mother is the well-known Belgian singer and model Wendy Van Wanten, chose not to change his surname despite his new royal ties, stating that it would feel like turning his back on his mother. He had only recently reached out to his father at the age of 20, after a 16-year-old curiosity that had been lingering in the back of his mind.

Prince Laurent had not publicly confirmed their relationship until last year, revealing that they had discussed it privately long before. Vandenkerckhove and his half-brothers from Prince Laurent's previous marriage are the fourth children of the royal family on paper.