Princess completes degree at Harvard despite Donald Trump's ban as royals to fly to US for graduation ceremony

Svar Nanan-Sen
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:59:37 +0000

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has successfully finished her two-year master's programme in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School.

The 24-year-old heir to the Belgian throne will collect her degree at graduation ceremonies scheduled for May 27 and 28.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are expected to travel to the United States to attend the celebrations alongside their eldest daughter.

The princess, who also holds the title Duchess of Brabant, began her studies at the prestigious American institution in 2024.

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Her return to Harvard last year faced uncertainty when President Donald Trump imposed restrictions preventing foreign nationals with visas from studying at the university.

Despite her position in the Belgian royal family, the princess refused any preferential treatment that might distinguish her from other international students affected by the policy.

The matter was ultimately resolved when a federal judge struck down the ban, allowing Princess Elisabeth and other affected students to continue their studies at the Massachusetts institution.

Before arriving at Harvard, Princess Elisabeth completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, where she studied history and politics.

As the eldest of four children born to King Philippe, 66, and Queen Mathilde, 53, she stands first in line to the Belgian throne.

Her siblings include Prince Gabriel, 22, Prince Emmanuel, 20, and Princess Eléonore, 18.

When she eventually succeeds her father, the Duchess of Brabant will make history as Belgium's first queen regnant, becoming the nation's inaugural female monarch to rule in her own right rather than as a king's consort.

Belgium has a history of voluntary abdication, with King Philippe himself ascending to the throne in 2013 after his father, King Albert II, stepped aside at 79 due to health concerns.

King Leopold III similarly abdicated in 1951 during a political crisis to protect the monarchy.

When asked last year whether he might follow this precedent for his daughter, King Philippe offered a measured response.

"A King steps back, but is not retired," he said.

"I will continue to work for Belgium, and I must give my daughter time to enjoy her youth, develop herself and see the world. I support her 100% in that, and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs to do," he added.