Belgium’s royal family gets new member as prince admits having a son before he got married

The brother of the King of the Belgians has admitted that he had a son before his marriage.

Prince Laurent, younger brother of King Philippe, has confirmed he is the natural father of the son of a Belgian singer, Wendy Van Wanten.

The young man, Clement Vandenkerckhove, was born in 2000. There have been numerous rumours that he is Laurent’s son. Now the prince has confirmed to news agency, Belga, that he is Clement’s father.

The Belgian royal family is yet to comment officially.

Wendy Van Wanten, whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove, didn’t speak immediately after the revelation. However, just hours later it was revealed that she and Clement had given a TV interview in which they spoke about the situation. In the programme, by VTM, Clement is seen speaking about his uncle being the King of the Belgians.

Ahead of that and in a brief statement, Prince Laurent said he was confirming paternity in a sense of ”kindness” and ”with respect for all those concerned”. He added that the decision was ”the result of a common journey.”

Prince Laurent married Claire Coombs in April 2003, three years after Clement’s birth. Prince Laurent and Princess Claire have three children. Princess Louise is 21 and her twin brothers, Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric, will turn 20 in December.

Although Prince Laurent has recognised Clement as his natural son, there’s been no judicial recognition. If that takes place, it could mean that Clement could claim the title of prince and HRH as that is promised to all children and grandchildren, legitimate or illegitimate, of Laurent’s father, King Albert II, who abdicated in favour of Philippe in 2013.