Prince Laurent, the younger sibling of King Philippe, received a royal allowance of €388,000 (£295,850; $376,000) last year and sought additional social security benefits claiming that his royal duties and running an animal welfare charity qualified him for such assistance. The 61-year-old prince asserted that the principle of universal rights should apply to him as it does to others, particularly referencing the rights of migrants. However, a Brussels court determined that he cannot be classified as either self-employed or an employee, leading to the rejection of his request.
The court did indicate that Laurent might be deserving of a pension under different circumstances, yet existing legislative gaps made this unattainable, prompting calls for a law revision from the judge. Prince Laurent's attorney emphasized that the application was driven by a quest for social justice rather than financial need and highlighted that social security is a right stipulated by Belgian law for all residents, irrespective of wealth.
The majority of the prince’s allowance is allocated to his assistant and travel expenses, leaving him with around €5,000 (£4,300; $5,500) monthly without access to social security benefits, including medical reimbursements. Laurent, who has three adult children with his British wife, Claire, has previously expressed concern about his family's future after his passing when the royal allowance would cease. After being denied benefits, Laurent pursued legal action against the Belgian state; the outcome of the case remains a topic of public interest.
Notably, Prince Laurent, now 15th in line to the Belgian throne, has had a controversial public image, earning the nickname "prince maudit" or "cursed prince." His past indiscretions include unauthorized attendance at a Chinese embassy event and multiple speeding tickets, alongside controversial meetings with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The court did indicate that Laurent might be deserving of a pension under different circumstances, yet existing legislative gaps made this unattainable, prompting calls for a law revision from the judge. Prince Laurent's attorney emphasized that the application was driven by a quest for social justice rather than financial need and highlighted that social security is a right stipulated by Belgian law for all residents, irrespective of wealth.
The majority of the prince’s allowance is allocated to his assistant and travel expenses, leaving him with around €5,000 (£4,300; $5,500) monthly without access to social security benefits, including medical reimbursements. Laurent, who has three adult children with his British wife, Claire, has previously expressed concern about his family's future after his passing when the royal allowance would cease. After being denied benefits, Laurent pursued legal action against the Belgian state; the outcome of the case remains a topic of public interest.
Notably, Prince Laurent, now 15th in line to the Belgian throne, has had a controversial public image, earning the nickname "prince maudit" or "cursed prince." His past indiscretions include unauthorized attendance at a Chinese embassy event and multiple speeding tickets, alongside controversial meetings with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
