Clement Vandenkerckhove, the 26-year-old illegitimate son of Belgium's Prince Laurent, has spoken publicly for the first time since being legally recognised as a prince, describing the "relief of no longer having to keep my origins a secret". Prince Laurent, younger brother of King Philippe, reportedly acknowledged paternity of his secret love child in February, and town hall records now confirm Clement's official royal title. The revelation matters as it brings a long-rumoured Belgian royal secret into the open, echoing a similar acknowledgement by Laurent's own father, King Albert II, of his love child Princess Delphine five years earlier.

Clement was born in 2000 to 80s pop singer Wendy Van Wanten, the same year Laurent began his relationship with his British wife of 23 years, Claire Coombs, who was born in Bath. Despite his new title, Clement will receive no royal allowance and remains outside the line of succession. He confirmed his identity in a documentary last year, recounting how his mother told him "your daddy is a prince", and has since shared a Father's Day tribute honouring both Laurent and her husband, Frans Vancoppenolle. Prince Laurent, 62, confirmed the paternity in a statement, calling it "an intimate matter" handled with mutual "understanding and respect".