Belgian Prince Denied Additional Benefits Over Royal Allowance

In a significant court ruling, Belgian Prince Laurent's bid for additional social benefits has been denied, despite his claims regarding the nature of his royal duties and charitable work in animal welfare.

Prince Laurent of Belgium, younger sibling to King Philippe, has seen his request for supplementary social security benefits based on a royal allowance of €388,000 (£295,850; $376,000) dismissed by a Brussels court. The prince argued his royal engagements, combined with a decade-long commitment to an animal welfare charity, justified his application for further support, contending that he was partially self-employed.

The 61-year-old prince expressed he sought these benefits out of "principle," emphasizing that social security should be accessible to all residents, including those of royal lineage. During an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF, he emphasized the rights of migrants, stating, "I may be a migrant too, but one whose family established the state in place."

However, the court concluded that Prince Laurent does not qualify as either self-employed or an employee, thus rejecting his claims. Notably, the judge pointed out that Laurent might deserve a pension, but cited legislative gaps that obstruct such provisions, suggesting necessary amendments to be made to the law.

Laurent's attorney, Olivier Rijckaert, highlighted the broader implications of this case, arguing that social security should be universally accessible, regardless of wealth. Despite the stipulations of his allowance, which largely goes towards administrative costs, the prince reportedly operates on approximately €5,000 (£4,300; $5,500) monthly after expenses, leaving him without access to critical social benefits, like reimbursement for medical costs.

With concerns for his family's security after the eventual termination of the royal allowance upon his passing, Laurent's legal action aimed at the Belgian state followed a previous rejection for benefits. The preliminary hearing for his case took place in November 2024, but his team is still deliberating next steps regarding a potential appeal.

As the fifteenth in line to the Belgian throne, Laurent, often dubbed the "cursed prince" due to previous controversies, found himself at the center of public scrutiny again. In 2018, he faced parliamentary repercussions for attending an unsanctioned event in naval uniform, and his past actions, including speeding violations and meetings held in Libya during the Gaddafi era, have further led to public criticism.