The life of a former car salesman has dramatically changed as he embraces his newfound identity as a Prince. He recently expressed immense relief about shedding the burden of concealing his true heritage.

Clement Vandenkerckhove, aged 26, is the unacknowledged son of Prince Laurent of Belgium. His father, Prince Laurent, had a romantic liaison with an 80s pop singer, which resulted in Clement’s birth. Remarkably, this took place during the same year Laurent began his relationship with his now British wife.

Prince Laurent, the younger sibling of Belgium’s King Philippe, reportedly confirmed his paternity this past February. Consequently, Clement has officially been recognized as a Prince, as confirmed by town hall documents reviewed by Soir Mag.

In what appears to be a personal post on Instagram, Clement shared his thoughts on the monumental shift in his life: “Adjusting to the newfound relief of not having to hide my origins is still very much a journey in progress.”

He went on to convey his deep appreciation for the overwhelming waves of support and kind words from those who have followed his story. “The many warm reactions and words of encouragement have moved me more profoundly than I ever anticipated,” he remarked.

‘To be honest, I’m still not quite sure how to take it all in, but the feeling that rises above everything else is gratitude – and that is something I really wanted to share with you. 

‘So, truly, thank you to everyone whose kindness and affection have helped me,’ wrote the Prince.

His post also included two photographs of himself, one thought to be taken more recently, and another showing him as a child running towards the sea.

Despite his new title, Clement will not receive a royal allowance nor will he appear in the line of succession.

The Prince had posted a photo with Laurent earlier this summer for a sweet Father’s Day post, recognising both his dad and his mother’s husband Frans Vancoppenolle.

‘Today I celebrate two fathers who, each in their own way, play an important role in my life,’ he penned. ‘Thank you for everything. Happy Father’s Day!’ 

Last year, Clement identified himself in a documentary, confirming speculation that had been rife in local media for years.

He described the moment his mother told him the truth about his father, recalling: ‘She said, “Your daddy is a Prince. Your daddy is that man.”‘ 

Prince Laurent, 62, himself confirmed the news in a statement, saying: ‘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.

‘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.’

Clement was born in 2000, the same year that Prince Laurent is understood to have met his wife of 23 years, Claire Coombs, who was born in Bath to a British father and Belgian mother. 

The Prince’s relationship with Clement’s mother, 80s popstar Wendy Van Wanten, was never officially confirmed, but the pair were spotted at events together in the late 1990s. Notably, they attended Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie’s wedding.

The Daily Mail contacted the Belgian Royal Family for comment at the time. It is understood that the line of succession will not be affected by the announcement, which comes five years after Prince Laurent’s father, King Albert II, publicly acknowledged his own love child, Princess Delphine.

In clips from the series on broadcaster VTM’s Instagram, Clement reflected on the bizarre experience of being told about his heritage by his mother, who admitted she was ‘maybe a little naive in thinking I could keep that quiet’.

Clement recalled his thoughts when his mother first told him the truth, saying: ‘If he is a Prince, what am I? My uncle is the King of Belgium!’

He also recounted what it felt like to make contact with his birth father. ‘Suddenly I’m handed a number,’ he said. ‘I think: “That’s his number, that’s just really his.” So I call… and that phone rings. Really, my heart was in my throat.’

He also addressed feelings of past confusion about not knowing his biological father and wondering where he came from. 

‘Sometimes, that question would come back: “Do you actually know who your father is? Is he dead?”,’ he told the documentary. ‘I’d just want to be with my dad… going for a pint.’

He described how later, after a series of phone calls and meetings, they arranged a DNA test which confirmed everything.

Elsewhere, Clement also said that he didn’t place any blame on his mother Wendy or Prince Laurent for their history.

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‘We’re all human, right? Neither my father nor my mother did anything wrong,’ he explained. ‘So I just want to be able to go through life normally.’

Princess Claire, who trained as a land surveyor, met Laurent – who is ten years her senior – in 2000. The pair were reportedly introduced at a friend’s house, and bonded over helping do the dishes together after dinner.

The couple announced their engagement in 2002, and in an interview to mark the occasion the Prince praised his bride’s ‘spontaneity’ and love of children.

At the time, Belgian press hailed the future Princess as ‘very British’ and noted that she was discreet and reserved to the point of being secretive. 

Born to a solidly middle-class family, her parents moved to Belgium with Claire, her brother and sister when she was three years old. 

Her father, who was born in Wimbledon, worked for a telecoms company in Canada and then in the linen and textiles industry before setting up a business specialising in rubber bands.

Claire’s mother was born in Ixelles, Belgium, but moved to the UK to complete her apprenticeship as a secretary, and later joined her husband in the family business. 

Despite her dual citizenship and admitting that the family largely spoke English at home, Claire has admitted she ‘feels Belgian’, as per La Libre.

Speaking to the outlet, she admitted she had ‘learned a lot’ from her husband and albeit feeling nervous about being in the spotlight at first, has become used to it. 

‘It didn’t bother me. Everything happened naturally,’ she shared. ‘Of course, I am recognised from time to time. But if people spend their time watching me work, they will quickly get bored.’

When asked what they like about one another at the news of their engagement, Claire said she was fond of Laurent’s ‘sensitivity and generosity’, while he praised the fact that she is ‘honest, spontaneous and likes children’.

Claire and Laurent were married at Brussels’ gothic Town Hall the following year, with a religious ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula.

Her wedding look was so popular – adorned with a lace gown from Natan’s Édouard Vermeulen – it was said to have inspired a replica for the hit movie Princess Diaries 2.

Princess Claire rarely appears in public with her husband, but does occasionally support him at environmental causes or animal charities. The royal is the leading patron of Brussels Choral Society, which sang at the religious part of her marriage ceremony, and is a member of the Board of Trustees at the British School of Brussels.

She also often attends charitable and commemorative events hosted by the British Ambassador to Belgium.

Meanwhile, Clement’s mother Wendy, now 66, who was known for hosting the erotic Flemish TV show De Pin Up Club, where she offered sex advice to viewers writing into the show.

As well as being a singer, she had also starred in a number of movies and TV shows, and now shares photos with her husband Frans Vancoppenolle and their children.

Wendy also has a second son Dylan, 41, and daughter Estelle, 17, who she shares with Frans.

In 2021, Clement appeared on the Flemish documentary series Het Huis to deny the claims that he was the Prince’s son.

When quizzed over the rumours about his parentage, he told the programme: ‘It won’t be the answer you expect.

‘I think it’s very fairytale-like that everyone thinks that, which is great. But fairytales are just fairytales, if you know what I mean.

‘Can you picture me standing in line to the throne? It’s good to talk about it. On the one hand, it’s not fun because it stirs up emotions, but on the other hand, this is for the best. I want to be able to put it behind me, to no longer have it haunt me.’

Four years on, he has now made another TV appearance to confirm that the rumours are true, saying he wants to put an end to speculation that has ‘overshadowed’ his life for years.

Laurent, meanwhile, has three children with Princess Claire: Princess Louise, 22, and twins Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric, both 20.

He has in past been branded an ‘enfant terrible’ and the ‘cursed prince’ after a series of failed business ventures and gaffes.