Princess Elisabeth of Belgium will officially resume her studies at Harvard University this autumn, after months of uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's visa ban on international students.
The 23-year-old royal, heir to the Belgian throne, is entering the second year of her master’s degree at the prestigious Massachusetts university.
Her academic future was thrown into doubt earlier this year when President Trump’s administration moved to block international students from attending Harvard on a visa.
The ban, issued in May, sparked concern for Elisabeth and thousands of others around the world.
Future Queen cleared for Harvard comeback after Donald Trump visa ban row
|REUTERS / GETTY
Harvard pushed back with legal action, resulting in the restriction being suspended. In June, a US judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the administration from enforcing the measure.
Judge Allison Burroughs, based in Massachusetts, said Harvard would face “immediate and irreparable injury” if the proclamation went into effect.
While the Belgian royal Palace has remained quiet publicly, royal journalist Wim Dehandschutter confirmed to Hello! that Elisabeth will be able to return this September.
“The Palace told me, ‘All indicators are currently green for her. There are no concrete reasons why she would not be able to return to Harvard in September,’” he said.
Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Elisabeth pictured in 2023
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Mr Dehandschutter added: “According to new information from my sources close to the Royal Family, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and Princess Elisabeth have always believed in the positive outcome (despite the uncertainty).
"Which means they believed that Elisabeth could return to Harvard. Or – worst-case scenario – that the university could offer distance/online classes or find a different campus in another country.”
Mr Dehandschutter said the Palace had chosen to keep communication understated for diplomatic reasons.
“I think the royal Palace is keeping communication understated because they don’t want to create a fuss or scandal,” he told the outlet.
Harvard pushed back with legal action, resulting in the restriction being suspended
|REUTERS
“I suspect they don’t want to create tensions with the US. The ban on foreign studies was a decision of President Trump, a head of state like King Philippe and therefore a ‘colleague’.
"I’m convinced the royal Palace is happy that a solution has been found, and that it’s a good one too. They were in a difficult situation.
"Even if Trump were to make an exception for Elisabeth, because she is the daughter of a reigning King and a future Queen herself, that would send a strange message from the Royal Family and could lead to significant criticism that they condone discrimination against other students.”
Mr Dehandschutter added that Harvard may represent Elisabeth's final years of anonymity before she steps fully into royal duties.
Princess Elisabeth pictured at Harvard University
|BELGIAN ROYAL PALACE / X
“And for Elisabeth, it’s the last phase of her life in which she can still be anonymous,” he explained. “At the end of her studies, she will take up her active role in Belgium and become an active Crown Princess, the real start of her preparations to become Queen. Then her anonymous life will be over.”
Back in May, the Palace’s communications spokesman, Xavier Baert, acknowledged the uncertainty.
“We are looking into the situation to see what kind of impact this decision might have on the princess, or not. It’s too early to say right now,” he said at the time. “And we’ll have to see what happens next [school] year.”
With the legal challenges resolved and confirmation from sources close to the Palace, Princess Elisabeth is now preparing to return to Harvard in September.