Belgium’s Future Queen Completes Studies at Harvard with Plans for a Royal Graduation

NEED TO KNOW

• Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has reportedly completed her studies at Harvard

• The heir-apparent to the Belgian throne earned a two-year master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School

• Her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, are expected to attend her graduation ceremonies next month

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has finished her studies at Harvard.

The heir-apparent to the Belgian throne has completed her two-year master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, Belgian royal journalist Wim Dehandschutter reported via social media on Thursday, April 23. She previously completed her Bachelor’s degree, studying history and politics, at Oxford.

Dehandschutter reported that the future queen plans to attend her Harvard graduation ceremonies on May 27 and 28, accompanied by her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.

Princess Elisabeth, 24, was admitted to Harvard in 2024. However, her return last year was in question due to President Donald Trump’s ban on foreign nationals entering the U.S. with a visa in order to study at Harvard.

Dehandschutter previously reported that the princess declined special consideration due to her royal status, not wanting to receive preferential treatment over her fellow foreign classmates. Regardless, a federal judge eventually blocked the ban, clearing the way for Princess Elisabeth to return.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The Belgian royal family’s official Instagram account has shared several photos of the princess during her time on the Harvard campus. In September 2025, fellow student Max Bueno photographed the princess and her mother on a visit together.

The translated caption revealed that Queen Mathilde made a “quick detour [to] Boston before the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York… to meet Princess Elizabeth on the @harvard campus.”

Princess Elisabeth, also known as the Duchess of Brabant, is the eldest of her parents’ four children. King Philippe, 66, and Queen Mathilde, 53, also share Prince Gabriel, 22, Prince Emmanuel, 20, and Princess Eléonore, 18.

Princess Elisabeth is poised to make history as Belgium’s first queen regnant, the country’s first reigning female monarch, if she succeeds her father as expected.

Voluntary abdication has a precedent in the country. King Philippe ascended the throne in 2013 at age 53 after his father, King Albert II, abdicated at 79 due to health concerns. Earlier, King Philippe’s grandfather, King Leopold III, also abdicated in 1951 amid a political crisis to safeguard the monarchy.

Last year, the monarch was asked if he planned to do the same for his daughter in the future.

“A King steps back, but is not retired,” King Phillipe answered, according to a translation shared by HOLA!.

“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.

Read the original article on People