Prince Laurent of Belgium says a proposed 15 percent cut to his government allowance of $377,000 per year (308,000 euros) would amount to violating his human rights.
The younger brother of Belgium’s King Philippe made the accusations in a seven-page letter given to Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel by Laurent’s lawyer, The Guardian reported.
In addition to the cut — which seems to have been proposed as a fine for meeting with foreign dignitaries without approval from the prime minister or the king, The Guardian noted — the letter also accuses Michel of “social isolation” for attempting to limit Laurent's meetings and stopping the prince from getting a job.
Prince Laurent recently met with President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and appeared in full Navy dress at a Chinese embassy ceremony in Brussels to celebrate the founding of the People’s Liberation Army, The Guardian reported.
The prince was summoned to meet with Michel about his actions, but sent a sick note and the letter instead.
Laurent has been in similar trouble before, having his stipend slashed in 2011 after entering into a venture with Libya dictator Muammar Gadaffi’s son without government approval. He also was made to pay back 14,500 pounds, or $19,537, after trying to claim grocery store bills, skiing vacations, and his children’s school fees as expenses.
The prince also has numerous speeding tickets and has been banned from driving in Belgium. He is not on good speaking terms with the rest of his family.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.