Princess Elisabeth Graduates Harvard as Parents Watch On
Princess Elisabeth, the 24-year-old heir to the Belgian throne, is celebrating her graduation from Harvard University this week, marking the culmination of an unprecedented educational journey that makes her the most academically accomplished crown prince or princess in Belgian history. King Filip and Queen Mathilde have traveled to Boston to attend the graduation ceremonies, watching from the front row as their daughter reaches this major milestone, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.
A Week of Celebration
The graduation festivities span multiple days at the prestigious Ivy League institution. On Tuesday, the King and Queen landed in Boston and met with the Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School in the evening. Wednesday features the Class of 2026 Awards Ceremony, followed by a speech from Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, and a midnight reception.
Thursday brings the highlight: an academic procession through the streets of Cambridge, followed by Morning Exercises at Harvard Yard with an estimated 32,000 attendees. The keynote speech will be delivered by Conan O’Brien, the 63-year-old Harvard alumnus and comedian. In the evening, Elisabeth will personally receive her diploma alongside approximately 630 other Master in Public Policy students, as VRT NWS reported.
An Unprecedented Academic Journey
Princess Elisabeth’s educational trajectory is without precedent among Belgian heirs to the throne. She attended Dutch-language primary and secondary education at Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels, completed her final year at UWC Atlantic College in Wales with an International Baccalaureate, and underwent military officer training at the Royal Military School in Brussels.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Politics from Lincoln College, Oxford University in 2024, graduating with upper second-class honours. She then pursued a Master in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School from 2024 to 2026, as detailed by HLN.
At Harvard, Elisabeth lived as a regular student known as “Lizzie” to friends. She joined a running club, participated in the Cambridge Half Marathon, and lived in standard student accommodation. Her time at the university coincided with the 2024 US presidential election and the return of Donald Trump, whose administration threatened the visas of 7,000 international students at Harvard, creating a period of uncertainty for the princess.
A Deliberate “Slow Start”
Despite completing her studies, Princess Elisabeth will not immediately take on full royal duties. Queen Mathilde confirmed to VRT NWS: “I want to give my daughter some more time,” as reported by HLN.
The deliberate “slow start” strategy reflects King Filip’s own experience. Unlike his father King Albert II, who rarely involved him in audiences and work meetings, Filip has stated he wants to give Elisabeth the guidance and time he never had. The princess will celebrate her 25th birthday in October 2026, and a gradual transition into royal duties is planned, including possible internships and volunteer work.
What Comes Next
Elisabeth’s post-graduation plans are expected to be announced by the Royal Palace during graduation week. According to multiple sources, she will not lead Belgian trade missions until at least 2028. Queen Mathilde will handle the 2026 missions to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, stepping in after Princess Astrid stepped down due to health issues.
Having spent seven of the last eight years abroad in Wales, England, and the United States, Elisabeth has built an international network and global perspective that will benefit Belgian diplomacy. However, she will need time to reconnect with Belgian society before taking on a full public role.
A New Standard for European Royalty
Princess Elisabeth’s academic achievements set a new benchmark for European royalty. While her father King Filip was the first Belgian monarch with a university master’s degree (from Stanford University), Elisabeth surpasses him with degrees from both Oxford and Harvard, combined with military training. She is the first female heir to the Belgian throne and the most academically accomplished, marking a significant evolution in the preparation of future monarchs for their constitutional roles.
As Wim Dehandschutter, HLN’s Royalty Expert, noted: “Once she starts working, there is no turning back.” The coming months will reveal how the most educated heir in Belgian history begins her transformation from student Lizzie to queen-in-training.