Brussels: Is being a king a profession? Do the members of the royal family have the right to social security and pension like ordinary citizens? This question was raised by Belgian Prince Laurent in court, but the answer did not come in his favor. A Belgian court outright rejected his demand for pension and social security. 61-year-old Prince Laurent, who is the youngest son of former King Albert II, is calling it not just a fight for money but a ‘matter of principle’. This decision has sparked a debate not only in Belgium but across Europe.

Prince’s argument: ‘I am also a professional’

Prince Laurent claimed in court that he works as a ‘freelance professional’ and hence he should get social security benefits. For the past decade, he has been running the Animal Welfare Foundation, which provides free veterinary services. Apart from this, he participates in international meetings representing Belgium and is on the board of many organizations. His petition said, “When an immigrant comes to this country, he gets rights. I am also a kind of immigrant, the only difference is that my family shaped this country.” But the court rejected it outright. The decision said, “The responsibilities of the members of the royal family are like the civil service. They get some special facilities, but there is no provision for pension or social security.” The court believes that the royal role cannot be seen as a traditional job. ‘Fight of principle more than money’ Prince Laurent insists, “This is not a question of money, but of principle.” His lawyer argued that the Prince gets 4 lakh euros (about Rs 3.6 crore) every year from the government, but three-fourth of it is spent on staff salaries, travel and social events. After taxes, he is left with only 60,000 euros (about 65,000 dollars) annually. The interesting thing is that the average annual income of a common citizen in Belgium is $34,884—that is, even the Prince’s ‘pocket expenses’ are more than the total income of the people there. Still, he does not consider it sufficient.

First such case in Belgium

This is the first time that a member of the Belgian royal family has fought a legal battle for social security. Monarchy still exists in many countries in Europe, but questions have been raised on their role and rights in modern society. This move of Prince Laurent has become a topic of discussion not only in Belgium, but also in countries like Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands. Brussels sociologist Professor Marc Dupont says, “This case can give a new direction to the debate on the relevance of royal families. Should they get rights like modern citizens? This question has now come out in the open.”

Prince’s life: Royal or ordinary?

Prince Laurent has always been considered a ‘rebel’ of the Belgian royal family. He has often been in the headlines with his decisions. His work on issues like animal welfare and environment is commendable, but his financial demand has surprised people. A local citizen Anna van der says, “We have to pay tax, yet we do not get this much money. It is beyond comprehension that the Prince is complaining even after getting so much.” At the same time, his supporters say that he works for the society and he should get his rights.

What next?

This decision of the court has given a big blow to Prince Laurent. His lawyer has indicated that he can challenge this decision in the higher court. But for now, despite the annual amount of Rs 3.6 crore, his dream of pension remains unfulfilled. This matter is not only the Prince’s personal fight, but it also raises the question of what should be the role of the monarchy in the modern era. Is it just a tradition, or should it also be included in the social structure? This debate is not over yet, and Prince Laurent’s defeat may be just the beginning of it.