A European royal family has been rocked by the revelation that one of its members secretly fathered a love child decades ago.

Prince Laurent of Belgium has confirmed that he is the father of 25-year-old Clement Vandenkerckhove, born during a relationship with singer, model, and TV star Wendy Van Wanten.

Rumors have long swirled that Laurent, 61, the younger brother of Belgium’s King Philippe, had dated Van Wanten—whose real name is Iris Vandenkerckhove—and that he was Clement’s father, but he has never publicly acknowledged it until now.

In a statement, the prince confirmed both the relationship and the child. “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,” Laurent said.

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