The illegitimate son of a Dutch prince has won the right to use his father’s title after a lengthy legal battle.

Hugo Klynstra, 21, is the son of prince Carlos, one of the children of princess Irene, who is a sister of former queen Beatrix.

He was born to a childhood friend of prince Carlos, named Brigitte Klynstra, when the two had a relationship. Carlos insists that the couple agreed the child would receive no royal title or other rights and that Klynstra made ‘an independent decision’ to have a child.

However, when he turned 18, Hugo Klynstra decided to challenge that arrangement and has fought a series of legal battles to be granted royal status since then.

Now the Council of State, the highest Dutch administrative court, has ruled that the youth can use the title prince de Bourbon de Parme and has the right to be addressed as ‘royal highness’.

However, although he can use the title, the ruling does not mean that Klynstra is a member of the house of De Bourbon de Parme, the Council of State said.

The formal name change still requires a royal decree. Prince Carlos has always refused to comment on the case.