Royal quietly drops out of university after a single semester

Dorothy Reddin
Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:36:44 +0000

Prince Emmanuel of Belgium has withdrawn from his studies at UCLL University College in Leuven following just a single semester on the International Business Management and Marketing programme.

The 20-year-old royal, who ranks third in the Belgian line of succession, commenced the bachelor's degree course last September but opted not to continue after the Christmas break.

According to confirmation provided to HLN by the Royal Palace, the youngest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde has now enrolled on a French-language business development programme at ISTEC in Brussels.

The new course emphasises practical learning through work placements and internship opportunities.

Officials have not disclosed why he left his previous institution.

Emmanuel sat his January examinations as scheduled before departing, and his switch to ISTEC will not extend the duration of his academic studies.

The Brussels-based institution offers various work-study programmes alongside three-year courses, and places him nearer to Laeken Castle, where the Belgian Royal Family resides.

The Belgian Monarchy has remained silent on the specific reasons behind the prince's decision.

However, Emmanuel has previously navigated educational challenges related to dyslexia.

In 2012, he transferred to Eureka School in Kessel-Lo, a private establishment specialising in supporting pupils with learning difficulties.

He went on to successfully complete his International Baccalaureate in 2020 and undertook volunteer work assisting vulnerable individuals.

Emmanuel's eldest sibling, Princess Elisabeth, 24, stands as heir to the Belgian throne and will eventually become the nation's first-ever Queen regnant.

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She is presently pursuing her education at Harvard University in the United States.

The family also includes Prince Gabriel, 22, and Princess Eléonore, 17.

King Philippe ascended to the throne in 2013 after his father, King Albert, stepped down due to health concerns.

The monarch and Queen Mathilde travelled to Norway last week for a state visit, attending a formal banquet alongside King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon.