Belgium's hospital drama

Prince Laurent of Belgium has left hospital after three weeks of treatment. The prince, who was admitted suffering from pneumonia and who was placed in a medically induced coma for part of his stay to aid his recovery, was discharged on April 8th 2014 without fanfare.

Prince Laurent on a public engagement earlier in 2014 - he has now been released from hospital after three weeks of treatment

But that hasn't stopped the prince's hospital treatment making headlines in Belgium in recent days.  Last week his parents, Albert II and Paola, visited him along with his sister, Princess Astrid, and not long afterwards the former queen consort released a statement in which she spoke of Laurent being the most 'vulnerable' of her children.  That led to speculation about the prince's condition and some reports that he was receiving treatment for depression as well.

Queen Paola and King Albert II of the Belgians visit their youngest son, Laurent, in hospital 

The statement hadn't been approved by the Palace press office and not long afterwards it was reported that King Philippe was unhappy with his mother's actions.  Within days of the statement being released, the new king put out a statement of his own which simply said that he had appointed Peter Degraer as head of the household of King Albert II and that the former head, Vincent Pardoen, was relieved of all his duties. It had been Vincent Pardoen who had released the unofficial statement and royal commentators in Belgium were in no doubt that King Philippe was letting everyone know who was in charge of the royal family now.

King Philippe has put his stamp on his family in recent days

The drama in the palace has replaced the worries of the hospital now that Laurent is home to continue his recovery.  For several years, Philippe was seen as a quiet man but there's every sign now that Europe's newest king means to make his voice heard.