Belgium's Prince Joachim tests positive for coronavirus after attending party in Spain during lockdown

A Belgian prince has tested positive for coronavirus after attending a party in Spain that was allegedly in breach of the country's lockdown rules.

Prince Joachim, the nephew of King Philippe and ninth in line to the Belgian throne, attended the party at a private residence in Córdoba on Tuesday.

The Belgian royal family confirms to Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that the 28-year-old has since been diagnosed with COVID-19.

According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, which reported a Belgian royal had attended the lockdown party, there were 27 people at the gathering.

Under Spain's current gathering rules, no more than 15 people are permitted to attend private parties, The Brussels Times reports.

The attendees of the party are now being investigated by local police and could face fines between €600 - €10,000 ($1000 - $16,660).

Prince Joachim — the youngest son of Prince Lorenz and Princess Astrid — travelled to Madrid from Belgium on a commercial flight on May 24.

From there, it's believed he travelled to Córdoba, a city in Andalucia, via train to begin an internship with a local company.

While bans on non-essential travel remain, the prince was permitted to enter Spain because his trip was for work-related purposes.

Joachim is in a long-distance relationship with Victoria Ortiz Martinez-Sagrera, a Spanish woman who hails from the city.

Following his positive coronavirus test, he must now quarantine in Spain for two weeks. He is reported to have mild symptoms.

Prince Joachim is the second member of the Belgian royal family to have contracted COVID-19.

Earlier this month, Prince Laurent revealed his wife Princess Claire had been treated for the virus, after it was detected at an early stage.

The younger brother of King Philippe initially told Le Soit magazine the virus had entered his household, despite his family's careful observation of lockdown rules.

In a later interview he confirmed it was Princess Claire, adding that her diagnosis was particularly concerning as she had a compromised immune system, the result of a "lingering illness" she contracted six months ago.