Princess Elisabeth graduates from university

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium graduated from Harvard University with the King and Queen in attendance, and she gave an intimate interview.

Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant, has completed her two-year master’s degree at Harvard University in Boston. The Princess majored in Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The future Queen also sat down for her first interview about her life and future.

Princess Elisabeth Thérèse Marie Hélène was born on 25 October 2001 at Erasme Hospital in Anderlecht as the first child of Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde, the Duke and Duchess of Brabant. Her birth marked the dawn of a new era for the Kingdom, as legislation passed in 1991 allowed a future Princess to ascend the Belgian throne.

Since July 2013, Elisabeth has held the title of Duchess of Brabant, a title reserved for the heir. The Princess is first in line and is set to become the first Belgian Queen one day.

After completing high school at UWC Atlantic College — where many royals have attended — the Princess went on to earn a bachelor’s in history and politics at Lincoln College, Oxford in 2024. Elisabeth also spent time at the Belgian Royal Military Academy, where she completed a year in Social and Military Sciences. In addition, the Princess also attended the Yale Young Global Scholars Program at Yale University.

This week in Boston, at age 24, the Princess added another accomplishment to her list. After spending her two years at the Kennedy School, Elisabeth sat down for an interview at Harvard’s Smith Campus Centre to reflect on her student life and time in the United States.

Princess Elisabeth spoke of her time, saying how she “enjoyed not always being recognised” while on the streets of Boston, while trying to live “the most normal student life possible.” Her time away from her home allowed the Princess to spend time incognito, so not everyone she met knew she was a Princess or a future Queen. She later said that it “would have been different if I had studied in Belgium.”

While away, she received visits from family. Elisabeth remarked on one occasion, “My sister came to visit me, and it was a really lovely moment together. Being able to show her the city where I live and share that with her.”

On the topic of family life, Elisabeth also touched on her own childhood, which isn’t one everyone gets to experience. She said that while it had not been normal by any standards, it had “opened many doors and offered many opportunities,” which have helped shape the Princess into the woman she is today. She has never doubted her role, saying, “Since I was born, I always knew it would be like this.”

One moment that also came up was her connection with the current generation of young female heirs to the throne: Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, and Princess Leonor of Spain. Elisabeth said that while there is a “similar shift in other monarchies. We are all in the same situation. It’s a hurdle we will face together.” The Princess previously revealed that some of the young royals are in a WhatsApp group chat together.

Many can attest to being in another country and experiencing culture shock in many ways. This was no different for Elisabeth, who is said to have felt more Belgian being away from home. Reminiscing on her experiences, there is one which is completely understandable, being Belgian herself, “small things like chocolate.” Belgian chocolate is renowned for its high cocoa content and flavour. The Princess laughed and continued, “Because English or American chocolate is definitely not the same thing.”

What comes next for the Princess? She said herself that after her “intensive” studies and time in school, she will “need a bit of time to think”. While the future is unplanned for anyone, she recognises that amongst her peers, while “many people are uncertain”, “I know where I will be, what my path will be.” Adding, “in a certain way, it’s nice to know.” The Princess also dismissed reports that she will take a year sailing the Atlantic, saying, “I would love to, but that isn’t part of my plans. I still have to determine exactly what I am going to do.”

Yesterday afternoon, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were in attendance as their eldest daughter received her diploma after years of hard work. The King and Queen were seated with the parents of fellow graduates, with around 30,000 attendees. Princess Elisabeth wore a white dress under her Harvard graduation gown and was adorned with a Belgian flag stole. Stoles have become increasingly popular at American commencement ceremonies, where the graduate wears their native country’s colours around their neck, representing their home away from home.

Princess Elisabeth has now started a new chapter in her life, with more experiences to guide her along the way. However scary the future may seem to anyone, according to Elisabeth, “I was born with a certain sense of responsibility.”