Harvard University, renowned for producing global leaders and thought-leaders such as Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and Natalie Portman, has opened its gates to yet another eminent name: Princess Elisabeth of Belgium. The 23-year-old princess joined Harvard Kennedy School in September 2024 to pursue her two-year Master’s in Public Policy.
To commemorate the milestone, the Belgian Royal Palace issued a couple of relaxed snaps of the princess in jeans and a sleeveless top giving everyone a glimpse into her daily student life, away from the official royal regalia she is normally seen in.
Hello USA ! 👋 La Princesse Elisabeth a commencé son master en politiques publiques à la @Kennedy_School. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NZWX5PlvgX
— Belgian Royal Palace (@MonarchieBe) September 18, 2024
Academic Background of Princess Elisabeth
Prior to her enrollment at Harvard, Princess Elisabeth established a strong academic record. She read History and Politics at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, between 2021 and 2024. She also took the International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales in 2020.
She also took a year-long program in Social and Military Sciences at Belgium’s Royal Military Academy in 2021, which indicates a special combination of intellectual and military training.
Elisabeth qualified to take a spot at Harvard after passing the mandatory entry exams. She also was given an Honorary Award by the renowned Fulbright Program—an international education exchange sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Highest in Line to Belgian Throne
Born on October 25, 2001, in Anderlecht, Princess Elisabeth is the first child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. She has been the Duchess of Brabant since 2013 and the heir apparent to the Belgian throne. On accession, she will be Belgium’s first Queen regnant.
She assumed royal duties early. At age 9, she opened the Princess Elisabeth Children’s Hospital in Ghent. She is also linked to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Research Station and is patron to naval patrol ship P902 Pollux.
Multilingual and Multi-Talented
In accordance with the website of the Belgian royal family, Princess Elisabeth is proficient in Dutch, French, German, and English. She is a physically active person who likes skiing, rowing, sailing, and hiking. She further plays the piano and reads during her free time.
In addition to her academic and royal responsibilities, Elisabeth is also famous for being socially active. She has volunteered with a number of organisations that provide assistance to disabled people, homeless people, school dropouts, and old people.
In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, she personally called elder people living in old age homes to give them encouragement and keep in touch with vulnerable people.
