Belgian Prince Advocates for Pension as Royal Duties Come Under Scrutiny

Prince Laurent of Belgium is seeking a state pension to ensure financial stability for his family, as legal discussions about royal duties and entitlements unfold in court.

In a notable legal development, Prince Laurent of Belgium is making headlines as he seeks government pension benefits, arguing that his royal duties may warrant a form of state support akin to a job's pension. The court ruling this week partially agreed with the prince’s claim, urging lawmakers to contemplate a federal pension scheme for him, even as it dismissed his assertion that his royal responsibilities should be classified as employment.

At the heart of this issue is the financial future of Prince Laurent’s family—his wife, Princess Claire, and their three adult children. He has raised concerns about their financial well-being should he cease his royal duties or pass away. Currently, he receives an annual allowance amounting to approximately €400,000, which covers staff salaries, travel, and associated costs.

His lawyer, Olivier Rijckaert, pointed out that the court’s decision effectively distinguishes the prince as a “super public servant," a classification that has been applied exclusively to him and his sister, Princess Astrid. As the prince, now 61, faces the crossroads of whether to stand by in patience for legislative change or to challenge the ruling and expedite the process, the conversation surrounding royal expectations and entitlements has ignited broader discussions about the financial responsibilities borne by royal families.

The court ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Prince Laurent in 2023 against Belgium’s National Institute for the Social Security of the Self-employed, in which he articulated that the absence of a pension exposes his family to risk. While the court did not fully agree that royal duties are akin to regular employment, the prince hopes that a pension scheme could ultimately bolster his family’s financial security in the future.