The Belgian Prince Laurent is considering applying for Italian citizenship, which if granted would not "automatically" affect his State allowance.
Outgoing Prime Minister Alexander De Croo commented on the issue on Wednesday in response to a question from Barbara Pas (Vlaams Belang) in the Chamber of Representatives.
A few months ago, Prince Laurent, Belgian King Philippe's brother, discussed his future plans to move Italy in several interviews recently.
One of these plans includes moving to Italy, his mother (and former Queen) Paola’s birthplace, and applying for dual nationality. This raised questions about the potential impact on the prince’s allowance.
In an interview with SudInfo, the Prince said he considers himself to be a "Belgian by adoption" and that his family "doesn't have any Belgian blood running through their veins." He said that the King of Spain and the King of the Netherlands have French blood, before adding: "I can't stand the fact that it's been Flemishised to "van Saksen-Coburg."
For context, the Prince has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the Belgian State over social security. His wife suffering from medical issues, but neither he nor his family are entitled to it due to the State allowance Laurent receives for being part of the Belgian Royal Family.
De Croo responds
After being asked by Vlaams Belang MP Barbara Pas, Prime Minister De Croo noted that the prince had not formally informed the government of his intentions.
"The government acknowledges Prince Laurent’s intention to combine Belgian nationality with Italian nationality and his desire to live in Italy. A change of nationality does not automatically affect the State allowance," De Croo elaborated.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that Prince Laurent is always free to voluntarily renounce his State allowance and his privileges as a member of the Royal Family. In that case, the legal obligations set in exchange for the allowance would also cease.
"This position has been presented by my predecessors, but the prince has never taken the initiative to do so himself," De Croo added.
