Belgium’s Prince Laurent tried to commit suicide last month, it has been claimed.
The 50-year-old prince – the younger brother of King Philippe – was hospitalised in March, with an official statement saying he had contracted pneumonia, but La Capitale newspaper has claimed "persistent rumours" state he was rushed first to see a psychiatrist at a Brussels hospital on March 21, before being moved in intensive care and placed in an artificial coma.
Other reports claim the prince – who was discharged from hospital earlier this week – suffers from a form of depression, but the royal household are still maintaining he was treated for pneumonia.
Pierre De Baow, communications director at the royal palace, said: "The prince was not hospitalised as the result of a suicide attempt but for pneumonia."
Asked about other reports that Laurent had attempted suicide on a previous occasions he declined to comment.
It had been claimed the prince took a potentially-deadly cocktail of prescription medication in 1996 in a "cry for help", and it is also alleged his mental health issues stem from a breakdown in his relationship with his parents, King Albert and Queen Paola who did not visit him in hospital for two weeks despite frequent reports he was near death.
The spokesperson said it was because they "were abroad" but were kept informed of his condition.
Albert abdicated last year in favour of Philippe, 53.
Prince Laurent in ‘suicide’ riddle
