In a surprising legal battle, a Belgian prince's plea to receive social security benefits while already benefiting from a royal allowance has been rejected by the courts. Prince Laurent, the younger sibling of King Philippe, received a substantial €388,000 (£295,850, $376,000) in state funding last year, but claimed he was due further support because of his charity and royal responsibilities.
At 61, Prince Laurent characterized his efforts in pursuing these benefits as a matter of "principle" rather than financial motivation. He argued side effects of his status that align him with self-employed individuals warranting social aid. In a statement to Belgian multimedia outlet RTBF, he asserted his belief in a fundamental right to social security benefits, likening his situation to that of migrants who typically register for such provisions.
However, a Brussels court dismissed his claims, ruling that Laurent does not meet the criteria of being self-employed or an employee, despite acknowledging his entitlement to a pension that current legislation prevents from being awarded. Following this decision, Laurent's lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, emphasized that the case transcends personal financial motives and speaks to the broader issue of social security accessibility for all Belgians, regardless of wealth.
Despite having to allocate much of his allowance towards his assistant's salary and travel costs, Laurent is left with around €5000 (£4300, $5500) monthly and no social security benefits, which includes the inability to reclaim medical expenses. Concerns over his family’s financial future also loom, particularly as his royal funds will diminish upon his death.
The prince's legal quest commenced after his social benefit application was rejected, marking the beginning of a contentious legal saga that saw its first hearing in November 2024. As of now, there are no indications from Laurent or his legal team regarding an upcoming appeal for the court's ruling.
Known in Belgium as the "cursed prince," Laurent's history of controversy includes his participation in a diplomatic event without proper permissions and various traffic offenses. This ongoing case further complicates his already contentious public perception and royal standing.
