25-year-old Clement Vandenkerckhove has galvanized the public’s imagination. He is the adopted son of Prince Laurent of Belgium and Princess Claire. Vandenkerckhove was born in 2000 to Wendy Van Wanten, one of the most prominent 1980s pop stars in Europe. Up until this point, their blossoming romance with the prince has been kept under wraps. This announcement is an unprecedented and important milestone for the royal family. It especially strikes at the heart of Prince Laurent, now 61, third child and younger brother of King Philippe of the Belgians.
The shocking announcement follows Clement Vandenkerckhove taking a DNA test that proved there was a 99.5% chance he is Prince Laurent’s biological son. Their accidental genetic connection led to unexpected conversations. On an especially unforgettable call, Vandenkerckhove experienced a wave of goose pimples as he chatted with the prince for the very first time.
“I heard a deep voice say, Hello, who am I speaking to? I said, It’s Clement. The first thing he said was, And how are you? My heart was pounding. We talked for 40 minutes.” – Clement Vandenkerckhove
In spite of this public announcement, the nature of the pair’s relationship has never been outwardly acknowledged by Prince Laurent or his mother. They were frequently spotted together at royal events in the late 1990s, including Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s wedding. Their marriage was kept under wraps, as Prince Laurent had met his future wife, Claire Coombs, in the same year as the birth of Prince Laurent’s son Vandenkerckhove. While Coombs is a British national, he was born to a Belgian mother. In real life, she has been happily married to Prince Laurent for over 22 years.
In an official declaration, Prince Laurent acknowledged his fatherhood of Vandenkerckhove. During the panel, he explained how he and his son were able to openly talk about their changing relationship through time.
“With this announcement, I acknowledge that I am the biological father of Clement Vandenkerckhove. We have spoken openly and honestly about this in recent years.” – Prince Laurent
The prince suggested that this announcement needed to respect the privacy of everyone, including all those mentioned. While he described it as arising from common agreement and close consultation.
“This announcement is based on a sense of understanding and respect for those involved. It is the result of joint consultation. I kindly request that you receive this information with the discretion that the nature of this intimate matter requires. I will not make any further statements or provide any further explanation on this matter.” – Prince Laurent
Royal family drama is always intriguing, and this story proves no different. It shines a harsh light on the complicated web of personal relationships that have operated out of public view for decades. The acknowledgment of Clement Vandenkerckhove as Prince Laurent’s son could potentially reshape perceptions of the Belgian royal family moving forward.
