Belgian Car Salesman Confirmed as Prince Laurent’s Son After DNA Test

Clément Vandenkerckhove, 26, a car salesman from Belgium, has been officially acknowledged as the son of Prince Laurent, younger brother to King Philippe, after a DNA test confirmed his paternity.

For years, Clément’s mother, renowned Belgian singer Wendy Van Wanten, kept the identity of his father a secret. The brief relationship between Van Wanten and Prince Laurent began in the 1990s after they met at a Paris fashion event.

Van Wanten revealed the truth to Clément only after he turned 16, but the information remained private within a close circle. At age 20, Clément reached out to Prince Laurent, who agreed to a paternity test. The two underwent the procedure together, with Laurent going first to ease Clément’s nerves.

The test results conclusively proved Laurent’s paternity. About six months ago, the prince formalised the relationship by registering Clément’s paternity at a local town hall, granting him equal legal status with Laurent’s other children—Princess Louise, Prince Nicolas, and Prince Aymeric—in matters concerning the private estate.

However, this recognition does not confer any royal titles, state allowances, or succession rights to the Belgian throne.

Despite his confirmed royal lineage, Clément has expressed a desire to retain his mother’s surname, Vandenkerckhove, citing pride in his family name and loyalty to his mother’s efforts.