In brief
A Belgian court has partially agreed to consider establishing a pension for Prince Laurent, who claims that his royal obligations should be regarded akin to a job, even as they dismissed some of his arguments regarding expenses and benefits.
Belgian Prince Laurent, the younger brother of King Philippe, has put forth a controversial claim regarding the nature of royal duties and their recognition under employment law. In a recent court case, the 61-year-old prince sought to establish entitlement to a state pension for himself, which he argues is crucial for the financial security of his wife and their three adult children in the event that he can no longer fulfill his royal duties or in case of his demise.While Luxembourg's court has not fully sided with Prince Laurent's argument that his royal engagements are akin to traditional employment, it has suggested that lawmakers explore the possibility of pension regulations for him. His attorney, Olivier Rijckaert, articulated that the ruling effectively categorized him as a “super public servant,” a unique designation that currently includes only one other individual, his sister, Princess Astrid.The prince's royal stipend is reportedly around 400,000 euros annually, with approximately three-quarters of that amount allocated for staff salaries and other operational expenses linked to his duties. Rijckaert emphasized that the prince is accountable for documenting all expenditures associated with his allowance, ensuring transparency and compliance with financial regulations.This legal entanglement began when Prince Laurent filed a lawsuit against Belgium’s National Institute for the Social Security of the Self-employed back in 2023. He expressed concerns that the absence of a pension could render his family financially vulnerable. As the court’s decision has opened the door for potential pension provisions, Prince Laurent is now deliberating whether to wait for legislative action or to appeal the ruling to expedite the process.
