Prince Claude is a character of Lupin the 3rd Part 2.
History[]
Claude was the prince of Belltenburg and was dating Fujiko Mine.
While Claude was waiting by the side of the road with his finger up, Fujiko drove past however she drove back and asked why he put his finger up. He was trying to hitchhike however Fujiko shows him that he was meant to do a different sign otherwise cars won't stop. He removed his cap saying that she stopped and her eyes became lovestruck as she was thinking that she likes guys like him and give him a try.
Claude decided to drive Fujiko's car and she called him a good driver unaware that it was first time, he explained that he was only driving straight and not good at cornering. Fujiko covers her eyes thinking that he might crash and took over the wheel however it went straight past a barrier and into a tree. He asked formally whether she was hurt but she called him rude as she is a mademoiselle rather than a madame. He breathed in and jumped towards the other side of the car where Fujiko sat and apologized. She called him stupid but gentle and liked it, he thanked her.
He was driving in France on a scooter with Fujiko sat behind and held him, she pointed to him the Arc de Triomphe however he struggled to control the scooter and knocked over a fruit stand. They arrived outside the Ritz, she called him a fool for wanting to stay at the hotel however he tells her that he is familiar of the place. Soon they walked together and entered inside with everyone kneeling down on the floor including the manager who greeted them to the hotel. He tells him to prepare the suite and a bottle of champagne, the manager nodded and rushed out. Fujiko was surprised as he smiled.
In the suite, they toasted their glasses and drank the champagne. Fujiko thought that she was dreaming that he is the prince of Belltenburg and he gave her a cheers for her beautiful eyes, she then did a curtsy. They laughed together and Fujiko jumped straight towards him giving Claude a hug.
Newspapers were printed of their engagement with headlines saying "Prince Claude! Engaged a Japanese girl!!" while they were horse riding, "The modern Cinderella! Miss Fujiko Mine!!" when him and Fujiko are in the theatre and "Fujiko and the Prince! Hot date in Paris!!" when they shared a dance together.
The King of Belltenburg had made a note as Claude and Fujiko invited Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa XIII to the engagement party. They had arrived at the palace as the king, Claude and Fujiko were sat on their chairs with Koichi Zenigata being behind Fujiko. She says to them that the recent events were a shock to them and going to marry the prince as she was grateful for being looked after. The king says that it is a matter that a woman shouldn't be concerned about and tells Lupin that there is a custom that the prince must ring the golden Minstrel bell to get his approval for marrying Fujiko. He also tells him that if he loves Fujiko, he has to steal the bell however the real bell is hidden. Lupin asked whether Fujiko agreed to him but Claude says that he has to protect the bell and also Fujiko from being stolen as he pointed behind him, he tells him it is a battle between men. Lupin says that he will look for the bell while they glinted to each other. Zenigata mentions that he is there while Jigen says that he is also there. Lupin, Jigen and Goemon then walk away, Zenigata asks the king the location of the bell however he says that even if he is from the ICPO, it is a secret.
In an office as Claude was witnessing, Fujiko tells the king that Lupin will find and steal the bell however he laughed and telling her not to worry. She on the other hand says that he doesn't know Lupin and he succeeds, she also begged him to marry Claude as soon as possible. He shook his head and it was no way that he would do it. Fujiko will stop Lupin and just as she was about to run away, Claude grabbed hold of her arm and handcuffed her to the table as he wanted to keep his oath of stopping Lupin personally. Both Claude and the king nodded and left the office as they closed the doors on her.
As Lupin, Jigen and Goemon planted micro microphones around the hallway, the king tells Claude that Fujiko must not go to Lupin otherwise the country would no longer exist and plan to arrest Lupin after getting the bell to save the country. While it was unknown whether it was before or after handcuffing Fujiko, Claude witnessed Zenigata talking about Lupin wanting him to contact the king as he had something to announce with both the king and Claude looking at each other. They had arrived on the beach near the tower and witnessed the king and Lupin talking to each other.
Both the king and Claude were surprised when Lupin played back the tape. Goemon pulls the rope up showing the real bell from the ground and back into the tower. Claude was surprised and Lupin asked Fujiko whether she likes him. Fujiko loves Claude from the bottom of her heart and Claude loves her too while Lupin was being cocky. Since Lupin knew that it was Fujiko's birthday, he is willing to give her bell as he is her fairy godmother to Fujiko's Cinderella. She kissed Fujiko and thanked him, he smiled back.
In the tower, Lupin arranges the engagement ceremony between Claude and Fujiko and disguises him as a priest. He tells her that even if Claude is a farmer and not a prince to promise to love him until the end. She agreed. Lupin tells Claude to promise never to change his feelings regarding Fujiko no matter what. Claude sternly agreed. Then Lupin tells him to ring the bell as it was traditional for them to get married, Claude held the rope and started to ring. They kissed each other and while the King and Zenigata were happy clapping their hands, Jigen and Goemon however were not. As they left the tower, Lupin reminds Fujiko about her wedding oath however Claude held her and she mentions if they have time, they can go to Belltenburg for a tour. Lupin reminds her that no one will come to the country again as from tomorrow, there is no Belltenburg. With a quick nod from Jigen and Goemon, he tells her that it is not easy being a queen and will get what he wants. Lupin, Jigen and Goemon have run off to get the bell as the tower started to crumble due to the detonation, Claude was worried.
Due to that Lupin stole the Minstrel bell, he is no longer a prince due to that the country is non-existent.