NEED TO KNOW
Princess Elizabeth of Belgium will continue her post-graduate studies at Harvard University this fall
The heir to the Belgian throne enrolled in the Harvard Kennedy School last year; however, her return was in question due to President Donald Trump’s ban on foreign nationals from studying at the university
The future queen is said to have declined special consideration, not wanting to receive preferential treatment due to her royal status
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium will be permitted to return to Harvard University this fall to continue her postgraduate studies.
Belgian royal journalist Wim Dehandschutter confirmed the news to HELLO! on Tuesday, although the royal family hasn’t made an official statement on the education controversy.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in history and politics at Oxford’s Lincoln College, Belgium’s future queen, 23, was admitted to the Harvard Kennedy School in 2024 to study for a two-year master’s degree in public policy.
However, her return this year was in question due to President Donald Trump’s recent actions against the prestigious university. On June 4, the president issued a ban on foreign nationals entering the U.S. with a visa in order to study at Harvard.
Dehandschutter has previously indicated that the princess declined special consideration due to her royal status, not wanting to receive preferential treatment over her fellow foreign classmates. A federal judge blocked the Trump ban on June 30, clearing the way for Princess Elisabeth to return.
“There are no concrete reasons why she would not be able to return to Harvard in September,” Dehandschutter said he’s been told by the palace.
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium on July 21, 2025
The journalist added that the royal family was optimistic about any outcome in the matter, sharing that his sources said they believed Princess Elisabeth could have continued her studies online or on a campus in another country if the ban was upheld.
However, they found themselves in a tricky spot, diplomatically, when it came to addressing Trump’s directive.
“I think the royal palace is keeping communication understated because they don’t want to create a fuss or scandal,” Dehandschutter told Hello! magazine. “I suspect they don’t want to create tensions with the U.S. 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,” he continued. “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.”
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty
Princess Elisabeth and King Philippe on July 21, 2025
Princess Elisabeth is the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and in line to be Belgium’s first-ever queen regnant, if she succeeds her father as expected. In addition to her academic studies, she has also received military training at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels and is a second lieutenant in three branches of the Belgian Armed Forces.
The royal demands on the princess, who also holds the title of Duchess of Brabant, are one of the reasons her college years are so important, Dehandschutter told HELLO!
“For Elisabeth, it’s the last phase of her life in which she can still be anonymous,” he said. “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.”
King Philippe, 65, acceded to the Belgian throne in 2013 following the abdication of his father, King Albert, due to health concerns. In June, 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 percent in that, and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs to do,” he added.
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The King and Queen are also parents to three more children: Prince Gabriel, 22, Prince Emmanuel, 19, and Princess Eléonore, 17.
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