Royal family scandal: Prince admits secret son—5 years after King’s hidden daughter shocker

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – JULY 21: Prince Laurent of Belgium attends the army and civil parade in the course of the Belgian nationwide day on July 21, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty Images)

Sometimes actual life is stranger than fiction, and such appears the lifetime of a Royal family. But this time, it is not the British royal family that is making the headlines; as an alternative its the Royal family of Belgium that has been rocked by one more revelation. On September 9, 2025, Prince Laurent of Belgium publicly acknowledged that he’s the organic father of 25-year-old Clément Vandenkerckhove, lastly placing an finish to years of hypothesis about his son out of wedlock!According to Belga News Agency, the 61-year-old prince issued an announcement confirming his paternity. The statment learn, “With this message, I acknowledge that I am the biological father of Clément Vandenkerckhove. We have spoken openly and honestly about this over the past few years. This announcement is based on a sense of understanding and respect for those involved. It is the result of joint consultation.”For the unversed, Prince Laurent is the youthful brother of King Philippe of Belgium. Prince Laurent is married to Princess Claire since 2003 and the royal couple have three kids collectively — Princess Louise, 21, and 19-year-old twins Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – JULY 21: Princess Claire and Prince Laurent of Belgium attend the army and civil parade in the course of the Belgian nationwide day on July 21, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty Images)

However, regardless of his present family life, Prince Laurent has confronted rumours of a relationship with Flemish actress and singer Wendy van Wanten (actual title: Iris Vandenkerckhove) for a lot of years. Infact, experiences recommend that Laurent and Iris first met at a Paris style present within the Nineteen Nineties and even attended Prince Edward’s marriage ceremony collectively in 1999. This was earlier than he bought married to Princess Claire.But, Clément was born in 2000 and whispers had been loud that Prince Laurent could be his father! Clément’s title itself reportedly hinted at royal connections, with hypothesis linking it to Villa Clémentine, the residence of King Albert (Prince Laurent’s father) in Tervuren.For years, neither Laurent nor Wendy confirmed the rumours of getting a baby collectively out of wedlock. Wendy later admitted their relationship lasted about seven years. Their son Clément additionally averted the topic till lately. In a 2021 interview on VRT 1’s present Het Huis, he dismissed questions on his father’s identification, calling it a “fairy tale” that stirred up “a lot of emotions.”Now, that fairy story has was truth. Alongside Prince Laurent’s public acknowledgment, Flemish channel VTM additionally lately launched a documentary titled ‘Clément, Son of…’ on September 9. In it, Clément lastly opened up about his story, saying:“My dad didn’t do anything wrong, my mom didn’t do anything wrong. I want to live a normal life and not constantly hear, ‘Do you really know who your dad is?’ I just want this behind me… I want to go have a beer with my dad.”Will Prince Laurent’s son out of wedlock get a royal title?Royal consultants be aware that Clément could even be entitled to a royal title. Journalist Rick Evers reported that, underneath a 2015 Royal Decree, Clément may very well be styled as “His Royal Highness Clément, Prince of Belgium, Prince of Saxe-Coburg,” since he’s a male-line descendant of King Albert.This isn’t the primary time Belgium has confronted a royal paternity revelation. In 2020, former King Albert II — who abdicated in 2013 — admitted after an extended authorized battle that artist Delphine Boël was his organic daughter. Following DNA exams, Delphine gained full authorized recognition and the best to make use of the title Princess of Belgium.With Prince Laurent’s announcement, the Belgian royal family finds itself as soon as once more underneath the highlight, proving that behind palace partitions, secrets and techniques can solely keep hidden for thus lengthy.