In brief
In pursuit of a pension to protect his family, Prince Laurent of Belgium claims his royal duties should be considered as employment. A recent court ruling has favored some aspects of his request, prompting discussions on legislation for royal pensions.
In a notable development in Belgium's royal affairs, Prince Laurent is advocating for a pension that he believes should be granted to him based on his royal duties. Currently receiving an annual allowance close to 100,000 euros (nearly $110,000), the prince argues that without a pension, his family, including his wife Princess Claire and their adult children, would face financial insecurity post his retirement or death. This week, a court partially endorsed his claims, suggesting that lawmakers could consider establishing a formal pension system for royalty. However, it rejected Laurent's assertion that his royal responsibilities qualify as a job, instead placing him in a unique category likened to a "super public servant," which his lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, says only applies to him and his sister, Princess Astrid.The court's ruling comes after Prince Laurent filed a lawsuit against Belgium’s National Institute for the Social Security of the Self-employed. He raised concerns over financial vulnerability and cited his hefty allowance, which totals €400,000 annually—majority of which funds his staff and various royal engagements. As the prince weighs his options regarding the ruling—whether to wait for legislative changes or seek a further appeal—Belgium might soon find itself amidst a debate on the role of pensions in monarchic duties.
