Car Salesman Becomes Belgian Prince After DNA Confirms Royal Father
Belgium has a new prince after 26-year-old former car salesman Clement Vandenkerckhove was legally recognized by Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, according to reports by BBC, Sky News, The New York Times, and UPI. The formal transition followed a low-key town hall ceremony in February that was publicly disclosed in August 2026, resolving years of identity struggles and granting the young Belgian a royal title alongside an inheritance claim.
From Flemish Showrooms to Royal Recognition
The journey from a retail car lot to the Belgian royal house concluded quietly away from public fanfare. According to reporting from UPI and the BBC, Clement Vandenkerckhove joined the royal family during a subdued municipal ceremony required to formalize his status. Prince Laurent, 62, officially acknowledged Vandenkerckhove as his son last year, concluding a chapter that began during a seven-year relationship between the royal and Flemish former model and singer Iris Vandenkerckhove.
“My whole childhood I struggled with the question, ‘Who is my father?’ When I knew, the secrecy weighed heavily on me,” Vandenkerckhove told the Belgian daily Nieuwsblad, as reported by UPI. “Imagine: You know who your father is, but you aren’t allowed to tell anyone. After school, I became a car salesman. I liked that job and did it well. But panic attacks were destroying me.”
Legal Status, Succession Rules, and Inheritance Rights
While the designation alters Vandenkerckhove’s personal and legal standing, it comes with strict limitations. According to coverage by UPI, the 26-year-old is excluded from the official line of succession to the Belgian throne and will not receive any royal allowance.
Despite these exclusions, the recognition secures a formal claim to an inheritance following Prince Laurent.
Media accounts note that Prince Laurent later married British-born Claire Louise Coombs, with whom he shares three children. The addition of Vandenkerckhove expands the extended royal family circle, though it leaves the line of succession untouched.
Preserving Identity While Embracing a Royal Future
The question of whether to adopt the royal surname of van Saksen-Coburg remains under consideration, though Vandenkerckhove expressed deep loyalty to his maternal roots in his interview with Nieuwsblad. “I am proud of the name Vandenkerckhove,” he stated, as noted by UPI. “Sacrificing that surname would be a betrayal to everything my mother did for me.”
Vandenkerckhove reported that his anxiety eased after establishing a relationship with his father. Bonding over shared personal interests, the father and son reportedly share a love of cars—bridging the gap between a former showroom floor and the House of Belgium.