Introduction

In a surprising twist, Belgium's Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, has failed in his attempt to claim social security benefits despite receiving a hefty royal allowance of €388,000 (about £295,850 or $376,000) from state funds last year.

Court's Ruling

The court's ruling, delivered in Brussels, stated that Laurent cannot be classified as either self-employed or an employee, which undermines his claims for benefits.

Prince's Argument

The 61-year-old prince argued that his royal duties and his decade-long commitment to running an animal welfare charity justified his application for welfare assistance.

“I stand by this principle, not out of financial need,” Laurent stated, shedding light on his motivations during an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

He even likened his status to that of migrants, implying that as a member of a royal family that helped establish the state, he deserves similar rights.

Court's Response

However, the court wasn't swayed by his arguments.

The judge did note that Laurent could be entitled to a pension in the future, but cited existing legislative gaps as an obstacle to granting such benefits, urging for legal amendments to resolve the issue.

Lawyer's Commentary

Laurent's lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, underscored the symbolic importance of the case, insisting that social security should be accessible to all residents of Belgium, irrespective of their wealth.

He explained that much of Laurent’s allowance is consumed by his assistant’s salary and travel expenses, leaving the prince with roughly €5,000 ($5,500) a month to live on – without the safety net of social security that many citizens enjoy.

Financial Concerns

The prince’s financial concerns are compounded by the knowledge that his royal allowance will cease upon his death, which has raised alarms about the future wellbeing of his family.

He has three adult children with his wife, Claire Coombs, a British national.

Background and Controversy

This recent court ruling follows a background of controversy for Laurent, who is often referred to as the "cursed prince" due to his penchant for scandal.

His past missteps include a parliamentary decision in 2018 to cut his monthly allowance for a year after he was caught attending a Chinese embassy reception in full naval uniform without proper notification to the government.

Additionally, he has faced numerous speeding fines and scrutiny for his meetings in Libya during the regime of the late Muammar Gaddafi.

Public Interest and Future Developments

As the Belgian public follows this unfolding saga, it remains unclear whether Laurent and his legal team will move forward with an appeal.

Will this royal controversy spark a wider debate on social security for the elite? Stay tuned for developments!