Prince Laurent, brother of the Belgian king, asked the Brussels Labour Court to recognise him as self-employed and his princely endowment as self-employment income.

Self-employment status would allow the prince and his family to be reimbursed for certain medical expenses and to receive sick pay in the event he is unable to work.

In a ruling yesterday, the court rejected the 61-year-old prince’s “unfounded” claim.

The judge said it was up to the Belgian parliament to decide if the prince can access social security, Belgian newspaper Le Soir reports.

Prince Laurent’s annual grant from state funds was €388,000 (around £335,000) in 2024.