Car salesman becomes Belgian prince after DNA test confirms royal paternity

A 26-year-old Belgian car salesman, Clement Vandenkerckhove, has been officially recognized as the son of Prince Laurent of Belgium, marking the end of a long-standing paternity mystery. The legal confirmation took place during a civil ceremony at a town hall about six months ago, following the legal recognition granted to Vandenkerckhove by Prince Laurent. This development brings the story into the spotlight of the Belgian royal family.

Vandenkerckhove, the son of Prince Laurent and Belgian model and singer Wendy Van Wanten, was born in 2000. At the age of 16, he learned from a DNA test that Prince Laurent was his biological father. He subsequently reached out to the royal when he was 20. The question of his paternity had been speculated for years, fuelled by Vandenkerckhove's resemblance to Prince Laurent. Prince Laurent publicly acknowledged Vandenkerckhove last year, stating they had "spoken openly and honestly" about the matter in recent years.

Growing up, Vandenkerckhove struggled with the question "Who is my father?" due to the secrecy surrounding his lineage. Despite his newfound royal connection, he expressed his intention to retain his family name, emphasizing that surrendering it would be a betrayal of his mother's influence in his life. Prince Laurent and his wife Princess Claire have three other children. This development mirrors the case of Princess Delphine, recognized by former King Albert II in 2020 after a protracted legal dispute over her paternity.