Belgian Prince's Social Security Claims Bounced by Court Despite Royal Allowance

Prince Laurent, brother of King Philippe, contended that his royal duties and charity work entitled him to benefits, a claim rejected by legal authorities who cited legislative gaps.

In a notable court ruling, Prince Laurent of Belgium has been denied access to social security benefits despite receiving a significant royal allowance of €388,000 (£295,850; $376,000). The prince, who claims partial self-employment status due to his royal duties and a decade-long commitment to an animal welfare charity, stated his appeal was centered on principle rather than financial need.

A court in Brussels clarified that Laurent does not fit the categories of either self-employed or employed individuals, making him ineligible for the benefits he sought. While the presiding judge acknowledged that Laurent could theoretically qualify for a pension, existing legislative loopholes rendered such claims unfeasible.

Laurent's lawyer emphasized that the request was based on the broader principle that social security should be accessible to all, irrespective of wealth. Despite his allowance, Laurent finds most of his income consumed by the costs of an assistant’s salary and travel, securing him around €5,000 (£4,300; $5,500) monthly, without additional benefits like reimbursed medical expenses.

The prince expressed concerns about the future welfare of his family after the allowance inevitably ends upon his passing. After initially filing for benefits in November 2024, Laurent's legal team has not confirmed whether they will appeal the recent court decision.

Prince Laurent, often referred to as the "cursed prince" due to his controversial past—including attending unauthorized royal events and receiving multiple speeding fines—remains a polarizing figure in Belgium.