Princess Elisabeth Graduates Harvard, Gives First Interview

Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, the 24-year-old heir apparent to the Belgian throne, graduated from Harvard Kennedy School on Thursday with a Master’s degree in Public Policy, marking the culmination of seven years of study abroad. In her first-ever major interview, granted to four Belgian newspapers, she offered rare personal insights into her student life, her sense of duty, and her vision for the future.

A Historic Milestone

Elisabeth’s graduation from one of the world’s most prestigious universities represents a significant personal and national milestone. As the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, she became Duchess of Brabant and heir apparent when her father ascended the throne in 2013. Upon succeeding him, she will become Belgium’s first-ever queen regnant, a historic shift made possible by a 1991 constitutional amendment introducing absolute primogeniture.

Her academic journey has been meticulously prepared. After completing an International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales, she undertook military training at the Royal Military Academy, earned a BA in History and Politics from Lincoln College, Oxford (Upper Second Class Honours, 2024), and interned at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels before beginning her Harvard studies in September 2024, as Wikipedia notes.

”Just Elisabeth” at Harvard

Speaking to journalists from De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws, Le Soir, and La Libre Belgique, Elisabeth described her two years at Harvard as transformative precisely because she could live as an ordinary student.

“My intention was to just be Elisabeth here,” she told VRT NWS. “That’s why these were such important years for me.”

She elaborated on the freedom of relative anonymity: “It was really nice to not always be recognized on the street. I could develop small habits. It brought more spontaneity into my life. I really enjoyed that.”

Elisabeth lived in an apartment with friends, ran the Cambridge Half Marathon and the New York City Marathon, and traveled across the United States. “I hope I’ve made friends for life,” she said. She also served as a teaching assistant for a course on Asia, calling it a highlight of her academic experience.

A Controlled Public Debut

The interview itself was conducted under strict Palace protocols, as Het Laatste Nieuws reported. Journalists submitted potential questions in advance, and not all were approved. Questions about the future of the monarchy, how she would shape her reign, and other family members were reportedly off-limits. The interview was conducted without cameras, with the Palace spokesperson and a royal photographer present.

According to the journalists present, Elisabeth answered diplomatically and concisely, “slaloming around delicate words” as De Standaard described it. The approach reflects lessons learned from her father’s own experiences as crown prince, where unguarded moments sometimes created lasting complications.

Navigating Uncertainty at Harvard

Elisabeth’s time at Harvard was nearly disrupted by the Trump administration’s threats to impose restrictions on foreign students at universities deemed leftist. She acknowledged the stress this caused.

“It was a very uncertain situation for us,” she said. “Quite stressful for the students. The university always reassured us and helped find solutions. Fortunately, calm returned.”

Notably, she chose not to use her royal status to seek special treatment, understanding that her international classmates faced the same uncertainty. She obtained her visa in August 2025 and completed her degree on schedule.

A Sabbatical Before Royal Duties

When asked about her future plans, Elisabeth remained deliberately vague. She confirmed she will take a sabbatical — a year or longer — before assuming active royal duties.

“I’m now going to try to take some distance and lay a solid foundation for what lies ahead,” she said. “Don’t rush anything, everything in its own time.”

She ruled out further academic study and dismissed reports that she planned to sail across the Atlantic. “That does not belong to my plans at this moment, no,” she said with a laugh.

On the question of when she will succeed her father, she was clear: “I think my father is doing a great job, and I am very satisfied with my role. The moment will come, and he will indicate when the time is right.”

A Generation of Future Queens

Elisabeth is part of an unprecedented generation of European royal heirs who are all young women: Crown Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess Leonor of Spain, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway. The four reportedly share a WhatsApp group and meet at official events.

“We all find ourselves in the same situation,” Elisabeth said. “It’s a hurdle we’ll take together.”

On becoming Belgium’s first female monarch, she offered a measured perspective: “My being a woman is not the only thing that defines me. I am a human being, and that’s how I will fulfill my role in society.”

What Lies Ahead

As she prepares to return to Belgium, Elisabeth carries with her a deepened appreciation for her homeland. “I’ve discovered that I only truly feel at home in Belgium,” she said.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde traveled to Boston to attend the graduation ceremonies, which spanned two days and featured speeches from Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, and comedian Conan O’Brien.

For now, Elisabeth plans to travel and reflect before taking on the responsibilities that await her. “I’m actually happy to know what I’m going to do for the rest of my life,” she reflected. “Many people are uncertain about that. It’s actually beautiful to know: this is my path, this is where I’ll be.”