Belgium’s Prince Laurent formally recognizes 26-year-old Clément Vandenkerckhove as his son, granting him the title of Prince of Belgium and inheritance rights within the family.
The New York Times reports that Vandenkerckhove’s recognition is legal and formalizes a relationship that had previously been kept secret. It says he was born before Prince Laurent’s marriage, and that while he is recognized as a prince, he is not expected to carry out royal duties. Other coverage focuses on the formal granting of status and the associated rights. Overall, the sources agree on the recognition, the age of the individual, and the change to his legal standing in the Belgian royal family.
