A 26-year-old former car salesman in Belgium, Clément Vanden Kerckhove, has officially become a member of the Belgian royal family after a DNA test confirmed his parentage.
Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe of Belgium, has legally acknowledged Clément as his son through Belgium’s civil registry.
According to reports, Clément’s mother and Prince Laurent had a relationship in the 1990s after meeting at a fashion show in Paris. The relationship did not last, and Prince Laurent later married Princess Claire in 2003.
Clément said he learned about his biological father when he was 16. His mother told him that Prince Laurent was his father. Four years later, he contacted Laurent, who suggested a DNA test. The test subsequently confirmed the relationship.
The legal recognition reportedly took place around six months ago, although details have only recently become public.
Despite becoming part of the royal family, Clément will not receive a royal allowance and will not take part in official royal activities. However, he will have inheritance rights to his father's private estate equal to those of his half-siblings.
Clément has also indicated that he intends to keep his current family name despite his newly recognized royal status.
