Princess Elizabeth Begins Academic Journey at Harvard

The Harvard Kennedy School in Massachusetts welcomed a notable new student in 2024.

Princess Elizabeth, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on October 25, enrolled in a two-year master’s program in public policy last September. She may be a lesser-known name in the U.S. for now, but she represents a royal lineage poised to make significant historical impacts.

To commemorate her academic start, the Belgian royal palace shared various photos on social media showcasing Princess Elizabeth adopting a casual student style, sporting jeans and a sleeveless top.

As the eldest daughter of King Philip and Queen Mathilde, Elizabeth carries the title of Duchess of Brabant, positioning her next in line for the throne. When the time arrives, she will become Belgium’s first Queen Regnant, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s royal history.

Currently, Elizabeth is adapting to life as an international student, quite a distance from her home country.

She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in History and Politics from the University of Lincoln at Oxford in July 2024. Before that, she completed the International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2020.

As stated on the Belgian royal website, prior to her two-year program in Wales, Elizabeth studied at Sintjanberkman College in Brussels, a Dutch-speaking institution. She also participated in Yale University’s Young Global Scholars Program.

While her academic credentials are impressive, her path is somewhat unconventional. Before her university studies, she attended the Royal Military Academy in Belgium, a choice seen as preparation for her future royal responsibilities. Additionally, she speaks four languages fluently: Dutch, French, German, and English.

Despite studying abroad, Princess Elizabeth frequently returns to Belgium, actively participating in public life and attending various events alongside her family.

According to the Belgian royal family’s website, she is also quite active, enjoying skiing, rowing, and sailing; she clearly appreciates connecting with nature.

Born in 2001 as King Philip and Queen Mathilde’s first child, Elizabeth is the eldest of four siblings and the heir apparent to the Belgian throne. Interestingly, Belgian succession laws were altered just ten years before her birth, meaning that had she arrived earlier, her younger brother Gabriel would have been next in line.