Clément Vandenkerckhove, formerly a car salesman and commis chef, has been formally recognized as Prince of Belgium after a DNA test confirmed his paternity by Prince Laurent, the second most senior member of the Belgian Royal Family. This confirmation has thrust Vandenkerckhove into the public eye, a transition he acknowledges is challenging due to his naturally shy disposition.
"Once I became prince, a lot of stuff changed," Vandenkerckhove stated. "I became a celebrity overnight. Now people recognise me all the time when I'm walking down the road. I'm not a normal person any more."
His journey to royalty began with a DNA test in 2020 that revealed his father was Prince Laurent. Vandenkerckhove, who spent his first 20 years raised by his single mother, Iris Vandenkerckhove, had long been unaware of his royal lineage. His mother, known by her modeling name Wendy Van Wanten, had a relationship with Prince Laurent in the 1990s. Royal family experts note that the relationship was deemed unsuitable by Prince Laurent's parents, King Albert II and Queen Paola, due to Van Wanten's public image at the time.
Prince Laurent later married Claire Combs in 2001, with whom he has three children: Princess Louise, Prince Nicolas, and Prince Aymeric. Vandenkerckhove's parentage was first hinted at when, at age 13, he encountered Prince Laurent with his mother in a shopping center. However, the full revelation of his father's identity only came from his mother on his 16th birthday. It took another three years before Vandenkerckhove contacted Prince Laurent, leading to the DNA testing and subsequent acceptance into the royal family.
The formal recognition of Prince Laurent's ties to his son was revealed on August 19, when it was reported that he had sworn legal ties to Vandenkerckhove before a civil registrar. This event has brought renewed attention to the long-standing rumors of a royal love child.
Vandenkerckhove has expressed that he has a strong connection with his father and does not view him as merely "Your Highness." While he has embraced his new identity, he admits the transition from private citizen to public figure has been difficult, at one point not leaving his apartment for seven days after the news broke. He currently resides in a modest flat in Aalter, Belgium, with his girlfriend, Guadalupe Borrero Ferreira.
Despite his new title, Vandenkerckhove intends to continue working and using his public platform for charitable causes, particularly those supporting young people with mental health issues. He also shares Prince Laurent's passion for fast cars, owning a Mercedes AMG C43. He will be entitled to equal inheritance rights to Prince Laurent's private estate, which includes a mansion estimated to be worth around £5 million.