Prince Laurent of Belgium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prince Laurent
Prince Laurent in 2021
Born	(1963-10-19) 19 October 1963 (age 61) Belvédère Château, Laeken, Brussels, Belgium
Spouse	Claire Coombs ​ (m. 2003)​
Issue	Princess Louise Prince Nicolas Prince Aymeric
Full name Laurent Benoît Baudouin Marie de Saxe-Cobourg
House	Belgium
Father	Albert II of Belgium
Mother	Paola Ruffo di Calabria

Prince Laurent of Belgium was born on 19 October 1963. He is the second son of King Albert II and Queen Paola. He is also the younger brother of the current king, King Philippe.

Prince Laurent is currently 15th in line to become the next king or queen of Belgium. This order of succession changed in 1991. Before that, only sons could inherit the throne before daughters. After the change, daughters and their children also gained equal rights to the throne. This means his older sister, Princess Astrid, and her children are ahead of him in line.

Prince Laurent is known for caring about animal welfare and the environment. He is sometimes called the "eco-blunderer" because of his passion for nature and his relaxed approach to royal rules.

Prince Laurent's Early Life and School

Prince Laurent was born in Laeken, a part of Brussels, Belgium. This happened at the Belvédère Château on 19 October 1963. He went to school at the Royal Cadet High School. Later, he studied at the Royal Military Academy.

Prince Laurent's Family Life

Prince Laurent married Claire Louise Coombs in Brussels. Their wedding took place on 12 April 2003. When she married the Prince, Claire also received the title of Princess of Belgium.

The couple has three children. These children are also in line to the Belgian throne. They are 16th, 17th, and 18th in the line of succession.

• Princess Louise was born on 6 February 2004.
• Prince Nicolas was born on 13 December 2005. He is a twin with Prince Aymeric.
• Prince Aymeric was born on 13 December 2005. He is a twin with Prince Nicolas.

The family lives in a home called Villa Clementine. It is located in Tervuren, Belgium.

Prince Laurent is also a godfather to Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. She is the daughter of Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.

Prince Laurent's Health

In March 2014, Prince Laurent was hospitalized. He was treated for pneumonia and also for feeling very unwell. He was put into a special sleep by doctors on March 25. He woke up on March 27. On April 4, his mother, Queen Paola, shared that he was getting better. She also said she felt he was the most sensitive of her three children.

Prince Laurent's Titles and Awards

Styles of Prince Laurent of Belgium
Reference style	His Royal Highness

Prince Laurent is known as His Royal Highness Prince Laurent of Belgium.

Unlike some princes in the past, Prince Laurent does not have an extra personal title. For example, some younger princes used to be called the Count of Flanders or the Prince of Liège.

Awards and Honours

Prince Laurent has received many special awards. These awards come from Belgium and other countries.

Awards from Belgium

•  Belgium:
  • Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold

Awards from Other Countries

•  Germany:
  • Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
•  Hungary:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta:
  • Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
•  Luxembourg:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
•  Netherlands:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
•  Norway:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
•  Portugal:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
•  Spain:
  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit
•  Sweden:
  • Commander Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star

Family Orders

• Two Sicilian Royal Family:
  • Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George

Prince Laurent's Military Career

Prince Laurent has served in the Belgian Navy. He has held several ranks throughout his career.

1983–1986: Royal Military Academy, 123rd promotion TAW ("All Weapons" Faculty) September 1985 – September 1989: Belgian Navy, ensign 2nd class (Enseigne de vaisseau de 2ème classe/ Vaandrig-ter-zee 2de klasse) He took his officer oath on 30 October 1985. He specialized as a combat diver and helicopter pilot. He received his combat diver badge on 20 July 1989 in Bruges. His father, who was a divisional admiral, presented it to him. September 1989 – 15 November 1994: Belgian Navy, ship-of-the-line lieutenant (Lieutenant de vaisseau) His uncle, King Baudouin, gave him his helicopter pilot badge in 1990. 15 November 1994 – 26 June 2004: Belgian Navy, frigate captain (Capitaine de frégate) 26 June 2004 – Present: Belgian Navy, ship-of-the-line captain (Capitaine de vaisseau)

1985 1989 1994 2004

Prince Laurent's Coat of Arms

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. 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.

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a person or family. Prince Laurent has a coat of arms. This design was officially set by King Philippe in 2019. It shows a lion, which is a symbol of Belgium. It also includes elements from the House of Wettin, his family's historical house. The motto on the coat of arms means "Unity makes strength" in three languages.

See also

In Spanish: Lorenzo de Bélgica para niños