A court just said no to a Belgian prince who tried to claim social security on top of his yearly royal money. Prince Laurent receives about $376,000 from the government because he belongs to the royal family. He claimed he should also qualify for social benefits since he runs an animal charity.
The 61-year-old prince told Belgian TV he wanted these benefits based on "principle" rather than needing extra cash. He compared himself to migrants who come to Belgium and receive social security. He even mentioned how his family helped create the Belgian state. The Brussels court rejected his request on Monday because they decided he fits neither the employee nor self-employed categories.
The judge did admit Prince Laurent deserves a pension but can't get one because of holes in the law. The prince's lawyer explained that his client wasn't making this request on a "whim." The lawyer stressed that Belgian law grants social security to everyone living there, from poor people to rich ones. Most of the prince's allowance pays for an assistant and travel costs.
This leaves Laurent with around $5,500 monthly but without health care benefits. He worries about his family's future since his three adult children and British-born wife, Claire, will lose the royal allowance after he dies. The prince sued the Belgian government when it first turned down his application. His first hearing happened last November.
The prince hasn't decided yet whether he'll appeal the court's decision. Laurent sits 15th in line for the Belgian throne and has earned a reputation for causing trouble. People call him the "cursed prince" in Belgium. Parliament once cut his monthly pay for a year after he went to a Chinese embassy party without permission. He wore his naval uniform there. Laurent has also racked up speeding tickets and faced criticism for meeting with Libya when Muammar Gaddafi ruled that country.
The 61-year-old prince told Belgian TV he wanted these benefits based on "principle" rather than needing extra cash. He compared himself to migrants who come to Belgium and receive social security. He even mentioned how his family helped create the Belgian state. The Brussels court rejected his request on Monday because they decided he fits neither the employee nor self-employed categories.
The judge did admit Prince Laurent deserves a pension but can't get one because of holes in the law. The prince's lawyer explained that his client wasn't making this request on a "whim." The lawyer stressed that Belgian law grants social security to everyone living there, from poor people to rich ones. Most of the prince's allowance pays for an assistant and travel costs.
This leaves Laurent with around $5,500 monthly but without health care benefits. He worries about his family's future since his three adult children and British-born wife, Claire, will lose the royal allowance after he dies. The prince sued the Belgian government when it first turned down his application. His first hearing happened last November.
The prince hasn't decided yet whether he'll appeal the court's decision. Laurent sits 15th in line for the Belgian throne and has earned a reputation for causing trouble. People call him the "cursed prince" in Belgium. Parliament once cut his monthly pay for a year after he went to a Chinese embassy party without permission. He wore his naval uniform there. Laurent has also racked up speeding tickets and faced criticism for meeting with Libya when Muammar Gaddafi ruled that country.
