Jump to content

Prince Laurent of Belgium: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Changed positions of children to match what is listed on the overall line of succession page.
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Belgian prince (born 1963)}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Prince Laurent
| name = Prince Laurent
| full name = Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie de Saxe-Cobourg{{efn|For almost a hundred years, official documents of the Belgian royal family members indicate "de Belgique/van België" as their surname. In January 2023, ''[[La Libre Belgique]]'' reported that members of the Belgian royal family were asked to go to the municipal administration to change their identity papers and write "de Saxe-Cobourg/van Saksen-Coburg" as their surname instead of the name "de Belgique/van België".<ref name="lalibre">{{cite web|url=https://www.lalibre.be/lifestyle/people/2023/01/06/les-membres-de-la-famille-royale-belge-pries-de-changer-de-nom-de-famille-sur-leurs-documents-officiels-4T5GYUL24JEYHEXJ56SGGGF2EM/|title=Les membres de la famille royale belge priés de changer de nom de famille sur leurs documents officiels|trans-title=Belgian royals asked to change surnames on official documents|newspaper=[[La Libre Belgique]]|date=6 January 2023|access-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730102533/https://www.lalibre.be/lifestyle/people/2023/01/06/les-membres-de-la-famille-royale-belge-pries-de-changer-de-nom-de-famille-sur-leurs-documents-officiels/|archive-date=30 July 2024|url-status=live|language=French|quote=Le prince Laurent par exemple est lui aussi désormais identifié comme Laurent Van Saksen-Coburg sur les documents officiels, ou "Laurent de Saxe-Cobourg, prince de Belgique" sur certains papiers. Son titre - de prince de Belgique - n'est donc plus utilisé comme nom de famille. Il en va de même pour les autres membres de la famille royale qui faisaient usage du patronyme "de Belgique" jusqu'à présent.|trans-quote=Prince Laurent, for example, is now also identified as Laurent Van Saksen-Coburg on official documents, or "Laurent de Saxe-Cobourg, prince de Belgique" on some papers. His title - Prince of Belgium - is therefore no longer used as a surname. The same applies to the other members of the royal family who used the surname "de Belgique" until now.}}</ref> He uses the Dutch version of his surname in his official papers as a resident of [[Tervuren]], a Flemish municipality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/royalty/prins-laurent-en-zijn-gezin-hebben-nieuwe-achternaam-en-daar-is-hij-niet-zo-blij-mee~a70721cd/|title=Prins Laurent en zijn gezin hebben nieuwe achternaam, en daar is hij niet zo blij mee|trans-title=Prince Laurent and his family have a new last name, and he is not very happy about it|language=Dutch|website=HLN|date=7 January 2023|access-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230601100405/https://www.hln.be/royalty/prins-laurent-en-zijn-gezin-hebben-nieuwe-achternaam-en-daar-is-hij-niet-zo-blij-mee~a70721cd/|archive-date=1 June 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> He uses the French version of his surname on some papers.<ref name="lalibre"/>}}<ref name="SenateBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.senate.be/doc/books/Senat_Complet_2009.pdf|title=Biographies of Members of the Belgian Senate|publisher=Belgian Senate|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628053513/http://www.senate.be/doc/books/Senat_Complet_2009.pdf|archive-date=28 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
| full name = {{lang-fr|Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie}}<br/>{{lang-nl|Laurens Benedikt Boudewijn Maria}}<br/>{{lang-ger|Laurentius Benedikt Balduin Maria}}
| image = Prince Laurent of Belgium (2015 F).jpg
| image = Laurent of Belgium (2021).jpg
| caption = Prince Laurent in 2015
| caption = Prince Laurent in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|10|19|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|10|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Belvédère Castle]], [[Laeken]], [[Brussels]], [[Kingdom of Belgium]]
| birth_place = [[Belvédère Château]], [[Laeken]], [[Brussels]], Belgium
| house = [[House of Belgium|Belgium]]
| house = [[House of Belgium|Belgium]]
| father = [[Albert II of Belgium]]
| father = [[Albert II of Belgium]]
Line 11: Line 12:
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Claire Coombs]]|12 April 2003}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Claire Coombs]]|12 April 2003}}
| issue = {{Plainlist}}
| issue = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Princess Louise of Belgium (born 2004)|Princess Louise]]
* Princess Louise
* [[Prince Nicolas of Belgium|Prince Nicolas]]
* Prince Nicolas
* [[Prince Aymeric of Belgium|Prince Aymeric]]
* Prince Aymeric
{{Endplainlist}}
{{Endplainlist}}
}}
}}
{{Belgian Royal Family}}
{{Belgian Royal Family}}
<!--A discussion on Wikipedia produced an overwhelming consensus to end the 'style wars' by replacing styles at the start by a style infobox later in the text. It is now installed below.-->
<!--A discussion on Wikipedia produced an overwhelming consensus to end the 'style wars' by replacing styles at the start by a style infobox later in the text. It is now installed below.-->
'''Prince Laurent of Belgium''' ({{lang-fr|Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie}}, {{lang-nl|Laurens Benedikt Boudewijn Maria}}; born 19 October 1963) is the second son and youngest child of [[Albert II of Belgium|King Albert II]] and [[Queen Paola]], and younger brother of [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe]]. Laurent's involvement with [[animal welfare]] and the [[natural environment|environment]], together with a relative lack of interest in [[protocol (diplomacy)|protocol]], has caused him to be dubbed by elements of the popular Belgian press as {{lang|fr|écolo-gaffeur}} (the ''eco-blunderer''). Currently, he is 13th in the [[line of succession to the Belgian throne|Belgian line of succession]]. He had been as high as third in line, but the constitution was amended in 1991 to extend an equal right of succession to women, putting him behind his sister, [[Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este|Princess Astrid]], and her descendants.
'''Prince Laurent of Belgium''' (Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie de Saxe-Cobourg; born 19 October 1963) is the second son and youngest child of [[Albert II of Belgium|King Albert II]] and [[Queen Paola]], and younger brother of [[Philippe of Belgium|King Philippe]]. Currently, he is 14th in the [[line of succession to the Belgian throne|Belgian line of succession]]. He had been as high as third in line, but the constitution was amended in 1991 to extend an equal right of succession to women, putting him behind his sister, [[Princess Astrid of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este|Princess Astrid]], and her descendants.

Laurent's involvement with [[animal welfare]] and the [[natural environment|environment]], together with a relative lack of interest in [[protocol (diplomacy)|protocol]], has caused him to be dubbed by elements of the popular Belgian press as {{lang|fr|écolo-gaffeur}} (the ''eco-blunderer'').


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Born in the {{lang|fr|[[Belvédère Castle|Château de Belvédère]]|italic=no}} near [[Laeken]], [[Belgium]], he was educated at the Royal Cadet High School and at the [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]].
Prince Laurent was born on 19 October 1963 at the [[Belvédère Château]] in [[Laeken]], northern [[Brussels]]. He was educated at the Royal Cadet High School and at the [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]].


==Marriage and children==
==Marriage and children==
Prince Laurent and [[Princess Claire of Belgium|Claire Louise Coombs]] were married in [[Brussels]] on 12 April 2003. Coombs was also given the title of Princess of Belgium upon her marriage. The couple have three children:
Prince Laurent and [[Princess Claire of Belgium|Claire Louise Coombs]] were married in [[Brussels]] on 12 April 2003. Coombs was also given the title of Princess of Belgium upon her marriage. The couple have three children, who are fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth in the line of succession to the throne respectively:
*Princess Louise (born 6 February 2004),
*Princess Louise (born 6 February 2004)
*Prince Nicolas (born 13 December 2005, twin with Aymeric)
*Prince Nicolas (born 13 December 2005, twin with Aymeric)
*Prince Aymeric (born 13 December 2005, twin with Nicholas).
*Prince Aymeric (born 13 December 2005, twin with Nicolas)

The brothers are fifteenth and sixteenth line of succession to the throne. The family live in ''Villa Clementine'', in [[Tervuren]].
The family live in ''Villa Clementine'', in [[Tervuren]].


Prince Laurent is also a godfather to [[Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon|Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]], the daughter of [[Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro]], a current pretender to the former throne of [[Kingdom of Two Sicilies|Two Sicilies]] and his wife, [[Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro]].
Prince Laurent is also a godfather to [[Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (born 2003)|Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]], the daughter of [[Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro]], a current pretender to the former throne of [[Kingdom of Two Sicilies|Two Sicilies]] and his wife, [[Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro]].


==Alleged corruption scandal==
==Alleged corruption scandal==
In December 2006, Prince Laurent's name surfaced in a corruption scandal in which funds of the [[Belgian Navy]] were spent on his residence ([[Royal Trust (Belgium)|Villa Clémentine]]) in [[Tervuren]]. Although the investigating magistrates denied that Laurent was personally implicated, some of the accused have implicated the prince in the press.
In December 2006, Prince Laurent's name surfaced in a corruption scandal in which funds of the [[Belgian Navy]] were spent on his residence ([[Royal Trust (Belgium)|Villa Clémentine]]) in [[Tervuren]]. Although the investigating magistrates denied that Laurent was personally implicated, some of the accused have implicated the prince in the press.


On 5 January 2007, it became known that King [[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II]] had signed a royal decree, making it possible for Laurent to be called up as a witness in the corruption trial which was to start 8 January. One of the defendants immediately used this to subpoena the prince.{{CN|date=July 2020}} During the evening of 8 January, Prince Laurent was interrogated by federal police, appearing in court the following day where he testified at the trial that he had no reason to believe the funding of his renovations could be illegal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/09/belgium.royalscandal.ap/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112103809/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/09/belgium.royalscandal.ap/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2007|title=Belgium turns critical eye to monarchy - CNN.com|date=12 January 2007}}</ref>
On 5 January 2007, it became known that King [[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II]] had signed a royal decree, making it possible for Laurent to be called up as a witness in the corruption trial which was to start 8 January. One of the defendants immediately used this to subpoena the prince.{{CN|date=July 2020}} During the evening of 8 January, Prince Laurent was interrogated by federal police, appearing in court the following day where he testified at the trial that he had no reason to believe the funding of his renovations could be illegal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/09/belgium.royalscandal.ap/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112103809/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/01/09/belgium.royalscandal.ap/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 January 2007|title=Belgium turns critical eye to monarchy - CNN.com|website=[[CNN]] |date=12 January 2007}}</ref>


Media reports in March 2007 suggested that Laurent was no longer welcome at the Royal Palace, possibly due to his role in the corruption scandal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/070327_lolo_and_bert |title=No longer welcome |publisher=flandersnews.be |date=2007-03-27 |access-date=2007-03-28}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
Media reports in March 2007 suggested that Laurent was no longer welcome at the Royal Palace, possibly due to his role in the corruption scandal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/flandersnews.be/News/070327_lolo_and_bert |title=No longer welcome |publisher=flandersnews.be |date=2007-03-27 |access-date=2007-03-28}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


In March 2011, the prince visited the former Belgian colony of the Congo without receiving the required permission; the reported purpose of the visit was to promote awareness of deforestation. As a result, on 9 April he accepted conditions laid down by Belgian Prime Minister [[Yves Leterme]] regarding his future activities; had he not done so, the matter of his annual [[appanage]] would have been in question.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
In March 2011, the prince visited the former Belgian colony of the Congo without receiving the required permission; the reported purpose of the visit was to promote awareness of deforestation. As a result, on 9 April he accepted conditions laid down by Belgian Prime Minister [[Yves Leterme]] regarding his future activities; had he not done so, the matter of his annual [[appanage]] would have been in question.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

===Broader context of Belgian press and political culture===

Against these considerations, defenders claim that there is a longstanding tradition in the Belgian press and among politicians to focus on shortcomings among members of the [[Belgian Royal Family]].{{cn|date=January 2023}}

For example, King Philippe has been pursued for what may be no more than lack of dexterity among some of his advisers; and [[Lilian, Princess of Réthy]] (1916–2002) had in her younger days been pursued by some deputies who turned parliamentary sessions into debates about her necklines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vigilantfreedom.org/910blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/selectionfromthroneinbrussels.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004131130/http://www.vigilantfreedom.org/910blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/selectionfromthroneinbrussels.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 October 2008|title=Selection from "Part V A King Crowned With Thorns (1934-1950), Section 24: Like Father, Like Son," from "A Throne in Brussels: Britain, the Saxe-Coburgs and the Belgianisation of Europe," published by Imprint Academic, February 1, 2006. |date=4 October 2008}}</ref>

In an earlier generation, vivid debates had surrounded the domestic matters of King [[Leopold II of Belgium|Leopold II]], whose religious but not civil marriage in later life to Caroline, Baroness Vaughan and her personal expenses and perceived lifestyle had been drawn by critics into quite wider debates on the governance — and mis-governance — of the [[Congo Free State]].{{cn|date=January 2023}}


==Health==
==Health==
In March 2014, Prince Laurent was hospitalised with pneumonia and depression.<ref>{{cite news|title=Le prince Laurent a été placé en coma artificiel [French]|url=http://www.lesoir.be/503590/article/actualite/belgique/2014-03-25/prince-laurent-ete-place-en-coma-artificiel?obref=obinsource|newspaper=Le Soir}}</ref> He was voluntarily placed in a medically-[[induced coma]] on March 25, and was awakened on 27 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_le-prince-laurent-a-recu-la-visite-du-pere-gilbert-et-est-reveille?id=8232700|title=Le Prince Laurent a reçu la visite du père Gilbert et est réveillé|date=27 March 2014}}</ref> On 4 April, Queen Paola stated in a letter that Laurent's condition was improving, and that she felt he was 'the most vulnerable' of her three children.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wort.lu/en/view/hospitalised-prince-laurent-of-belgium-improving-says-mother-533eda13e4b012fe7ff65e96|title=News report|website=www.wort.lu}}</ref>
In March 2014, Prince Laurent was hospitalised with pneumonia and depression.<ref>{{cite news|title=Le prince Laurent a été placé en coma artificiel [French]|url=http://www.lesoir.be/503590/article/actualite/belgique/2014-03-25/prince-laurent-ete-place-en-coma-artificiel?obref=obinsource|newspaper=Le Soir}}</ref> He was voluntarily placed in a medically-[[induced coma]] on March 25, and was awakened on 27 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_le-prince-laurent-a-recu-la-visite-du-pere-gilbert-et-est-reveille?id=8232700|title=Le Prince Laurent a reçu la visite du père Gilbert et est réveillé|date=27 March 2014}}</ref> On 4 April, Queen Paola stated in a letter that Laurent's condition was improving, and that she felt he was 'the most vulnerable' of her three children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wort.lu/en/view/hospitalised-prince-laurent-of-belgium-improving-says-mother-533eda13e4b012fe7ff65e96|title=News report|website=www.wort.lu|access-date=2014-04-07|archive-date=2014-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423043948/http://www.wort.lu/en/view/hospitalised-prince-laurent-of-belgium-improving-says-mother-533eda13e4b012fe7ff65e96|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Titles, styles and honours==
==Titles, styles and honours==
Line 58: Line 54:
|dipstyle = [[HRH|His Royal Highness]]
|dipstyle = [[HRH|His Royal Highness]]
}}
}}
* ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Laurent of Belgium (1963–present)
* ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Laurent of Belgium


Prince Laurent does not hold a personal title as younger princes were previously accustomed to receive in the past (such as [[Count of Flanders]] or [[Prince of Liège]]).
Prince Laurent does not hold a personal title as younger princes were previously accustomed to receive in the past (such as [[Count of Flanders]] or [[Prince of Liège]]).
Line 71: Line 67:
====Foreign====
====Foreign====
* {{flag|Germany}}:
* {{flag|Germany}}:
**[[File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 9 Sond des Grosskreuzes.svg|70px]] Grand Cross 1st Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
**[[File:GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 7 Grosskreuz.svg|70px]] Grand Cross 1st Class of the [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
* {{flag|Hungary}}:
* {{flag|Hungary}}:
**[[File:HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 1class BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary]]
**[[File:HUN Order of Merit of the Hungarian Rep (civil) 1class BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary]]
Line 77: Line 73:
**[[File:SMOM-gcs.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta#Sovereign Military Hospitalier Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta|Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
**[[File:SMOM-gcs.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta#Sovereign Military Hospitalier Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta|Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}:
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}:
**[[File:LUX Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d'Adolphe de Nassau - Grand-croix BAR.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]
**[[File:LUX Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d'Adolphe de Nassau - Grand-croix BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}:
* {{flag|Netherlands}}:
**[[File:NED Kroonorde A1 BAR.png|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Netherlands)|Order of the Crown]]
**[[File:NED Kroonorde A1 BAR.png|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Netherlands)|Order of the Crown]]
* {{flag|Norway}}:
* {{flag|Norway}}:
**[[File:Den kongelige norske fortjenstorden storkors stripe.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Norwegian Order of Merit|Order of Merit]]
**[[File:Den kongelige norske fortjenstorden storkors stripe.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Royal Norwegian Order of Merit|Order of Merit]]
* {{flag|Portugal}}:
* {{flag|Portugal}}:
**[[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
**[[File:PRT Order of Prince Henry - Grand Cross BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Prince Henry]]
Line 87: Line 83:
**[[File:Order of Civil Merit (Spain) GC.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Civil Merit]]<ref>[http://boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2000-8985 Royal Decree 783/2000]. BOE no. 115, 13 May 2000, p. 17722</ref>
**[[File:Order of Civil Merit (Spain) GC.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Civil Merit]]<ref>[http://boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2000-8985 Royal Decree 783/2000]. BOE no. 115, 13 May 2000, p. 17722</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}:
* {{flag|Sweden}}:
**[[File:Order of the Polar Star (after 1975) - Commander Grand Cross.svg|70px]] Knight Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of the Polar Star]]
**[[File:Order of the Polar Star (after 1975) - Commander Grand Cross.svg|70px]] Commander Grand Cross of the [[Royal Order of the Polar Star]]

====Dynastic orders====
====Dynastic orders====
* {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Two Sicilian Royal Family]]:
* {{flagicon|Two Sicilies}} [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Two Sicilian Royal Family]]:
Line 126: Line 123:
| year_adopted = 12 July 2019
| year_adopted = 12 July 2019
| coronet = Princely crown of Belgium
| coronet = Princely crown of Belgium
| escutcheon = [[Sable (heraldry)|Sable]], a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] rampant [[Or (heraldry)|or]], armed and langued [[gules]] ([[Coat of arms of Belgium|Belgium]]), on the shoulder an escutcheon barry of ten sable and or, a [[Crancelin|crancelin]] [[Vert (heraldry)|vert]] ([[House of Wettin|Wettin]]), overall a bordure or.
| escutcheon = [[Sable (heraldry)|Sable]], a [[Lion (heraldry)|lion]] rampant [[Or (heraldry)|or]], armed and langued [[gules]] ([[Coat of arms of Belgium|Belgium]]), on the shoulder an escutcheon barry of ten sable and or, a [[crancelin]] [[Vert (heraldry)|vert]] ([[House of Wettin|Wettin]]), overall a bordure or.
| supporters = Two lions guardant proper
| supporters = Two lions guardant proper
| motto = {{lang-fr|L'union fait la force}}<br>{{lang-nl|Eendracht maakt macht}}<br>{{lang-de|Einigkeit macht stark}}
| motto = {{langx|fr|L'union fait la force}}<br>{{langx|nl|Eendracht maakt macht}}<br>{{langx|de|Einigkeit macht stark}}
| other_elements = The whole is placed on a mantle [[Purpure|purpure]] with ermine lining, fringes and tassels or and ensigned with the [[Crown (heraldry)|Royal crown of Belgium]].}}
| other_elements = The whole is placed on a mantle [[purpure]] with ermine lining, fringes and tassels or and ensigned with the [[Crown (heraldry)|Royal crown of Belgium]].}}

== Footnotes ==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 175: Line 175:
[[Category:Princes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
[[Category:Princes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
[[Category:Sons of kings]]
[[Category:Sons of kings]]
[[Category:Royal scandals in Belgium]]

Latest revision as of 05:00, 24 December 2024

Prince Laurent
Prince Laurent in 2021
Born (1963-10-19) 19 October 1963 (age 61)
Belvédère Château, Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
Spouse
​
(m. 2003)​
Issue
  • Princess Louise
  • Prince Nicolas
  • Prince Aymeric
Names
Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie de Saxe-Cobourg[a][3]
HouseBelgium
FatherAlbert II of Belgium
MotherPaola Ruffo di Calabria

Prince Laurent of Belgium (Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie de Saxe-Cobourg; born 19 October 1963) is the second son and youngest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola, and younger brother of King Philippe. Currently, he is 14th in the Belgian line of succession. He had been as high as third in line, but the constitution was amended in 1991 to extend an equal right of succession to women, putting him behind his sister, Princess Astrid, and her descendants.

Laurent's involvement with animal welfare and the environment, together with a relative lack of interest in protocol, has caused him to be dubbed by elements of the popular Belgian press as écolo-gaffeur (the eco-blunderer).

Early life and education

[edit]

Prince Laurent was born on 19 October 1963 at the Belvédère Château in Laeken, northern Brussels. He was educated at the Royal Cadet High School and at the Royal Military Academy.

Marriage and children

[edit]

Prince Laurent and Claire Louise Coombs were married in Brussels on 12 April 2003. Coombs was also given the title of Princess of Belgium upon her marriage. The couple have three children, who are fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth in the line of succession to the throne respectively:

  • Princess Louise (born 6 February 2004)
  • Prince Nicolas (born 13 December 2005, twin with Aymeric)
  • Prince Aymeric (born 13 December 2005, twin with Nicolas)

The family live in Villa Clementine, in Tervuren.

Prince Laurent is also a godfather to Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, a current pretender to the former throne of Two Sicilies and his wife, Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro.

Alleged corruption scandal

[edit]

In December 2006, Prince Laurent's name surfaced in a corruption scandal in which funds of the Belgian Navy were spent on his residence (Villa Clémentine) in Tervuren. Although the investigating magistrates denied that Laurent was personally implicated, some of the accused have implicated the prince in the press.

On 5 January 2007, it became known that King Albert II had signed a royal decree, making it possible for Laurent to be called up as a witness in the corruption trial which was to start 8 January. One of the defendants immediately used this to subpoena the prince.[citation needed] During the evening of 8 January, Prince Laurent was interrogated by federal police, appearing in court the following day where he testified at the trial that he had no reason to believe the funding of his renovations could be illegal.[4]

Media reports in March 2007 suggested that Laurent was no longer welcome at the Royal Palace, possibly due to his role in the corruption scandal.[5]

In March 2011, the prince visited the former Belgian colony of the Congo without receiving the required permission; the reported purpose of the visit was to promote awareness of deforestation. As a result, on 9 April he accepted conditions laid down by Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme regarding his future activities; had he not done so, the matter of his annual appanage would have been in question.[citation needed]

Health

[edit]

In March 2014, Prince Laurent was hospitalised with pneumonia and depression.[6] He was voluntarily placed in a medically-induced coma on March 25, and was awakened on 27 March.[7] On 4 April, Queen Paola stated in a letter that Laurent's condition was improving, and that she felt he was 'the most vulnerable' of her three children.[8]

Titles, styles and honours

[edit]
Styles of
Prince Laurent of Belgium
Reference styleHis Royal Highness
  • His Royal Highness Prince Laurent of Belgium

Prince Laurent does not hold a personal title as younger princes were previously accustomed to receive in the past (such as Count of Flanders or Prince of Liège).

Honours

[edit]
See also: List of honours of the Belgian Royal Family by country

National

[edit]

Foreign

[edit]

Dynastic orders

[edit]

Military ranks

[edit]
1985 1989 1994 2004

Source : www.monarchie.be, Prince Laurent

Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of Prince Laurent of Belgium
Notes
As a Prince of Belgium and a descendant of King Leopold I, the Prince is entitled to use a coat of arms which was stipulated in the Royal Decree of King Philippe in 2019.[12]
Adopted
12 July 2019
Coronet
Princely crown of Belgium
Escutcheon
Sable, a lion rampant or, armed and langued gules (Belgium), on the shoulder an escutcheon barry of ten sable and or, a crancelin vert (Wettin), overall a bordure or.
Supporters
Two lions guardant proper
Motto
French: L'union fait la force
Dutch: Eendracht maakt macht
German: Einigkeit macht stark
Other elements
The whole is placed on a mantle purpure with ermine lining, fringes and tassels or and ensigned with the Royal crown of Belgium.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ For almost a hundred years, official documents of the Belgian royal family members indicate "de Belgique/van België" as their surname. In January 2023, La Libre Belgique reported that members of the Belgian royal family were asked to go to the municipal administration to change their identity papers and write "de Saxe-Cobourg/van Saksen-Coburg" as their surname instead of the name "de Belgique/van België".[1] He uses the Dutch version of his surname in his official papers as a resident of Tervuren, a Flemish municipality.[2] He uses the French version of his surname on some papers.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Les membres de la famille royale belge priés de changer de nom de famille sur leurs documents officiels" [Belgian royals asked to change surnames on official documents]. La Libre Belgique (in French). 6 January 2023. Archived from the original on 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024. Le prince Laurent par exemple est lui aussi désormais identifié comme Laurent Van Saksen-Coburg sur les documents officiels, ou "Laurent de Saxe-Cobourg, prince de Belgique" sur certains papiers. Son titre - de prince de Belgique - n'est donc plus utilisé comme nom de famille. Il en va de même pour les autres membres de la famille royale qui faisaient usage du patronyme "de Belgique" jusqu'à présent. [Prince Laurent, for example, is now also identified as Laurent Van Saksen-Coburg on official documents, or "Laurent de Saxe-Cobourg, prince de Belgique" on some papers. His title - Prince of Belgium - is therefore no longer used as a surname. The same applies to the other members of the royal family who used the surname "de Belgique" until now.]
  2. ^ "Prins Laurent en zijn gezin hebben nieuwe achternaam, en daar is hij niet zo blij mee" [Prince Laurent and his family have a new last name, and he is not very happy about it]. HLN (in Dutch). 7 January 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Biographies of Members of the Belgian Senate" (PDF). Belgian Senate. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Belgium turns critical eye to monarchy - CNN.com". CNN. 12 January 2007. Archived from the original on 12 January 2007.
  5. ^ "No longer welcome". flandersnews.be. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2007-03-28. [dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Le prince Laurent a été placé en coma artificiel [French]". Le Soir.
  7. ^ "Le Prince Laurent a reçu la visite du père Gilbert et est réveillé". 27 March 2014.
  8. ^ "News report". www.wort.lu. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  9. ^ Bremner, Charles. "Belgium's 'Duke of York': buffoon or man out of control?".
  10. ^ Royal Decree 783/2000. BOE no. 115, 13 May 2000, p. 17722
  11. ^ "Senior Constantinian knight, HRH Prince Laurent of Belgium, marries British-born Claire Coombs - Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George". 26 April 2003.
  12. ^ Philippe, Koning der Belgen (12 July 2019). "Koninklijk besluit houdende vaststelling van het wapen van het Koninklijk Huis en van zijn leden" (PDF). Belgisch Staatsblad. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Prince Laurent of Belgium.
Prince Laurent of Belgium
Born: 19 October 1963
Lines of succession
Preceded by Succession to the Belgian throne
13th in line 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prince_Laurent_of_Belgium&oldid=1264919506"