Queen Mathilde Congratulates Princess Elisabeth on Harvard Diploma: ‘A Few More Hours of Celebrating’
Queen Mathilde of Belgium has publicly congratulated her eldest daughter, Crown Princess Elisabeth, on earning her Master of Public Policy from Harvard University, sharing a lighthearted message that there are still “a few more hours of celebrating” to be done. The proud mother’s words came a day after the 24-year-old heir to the Belgian throne officially received her diploma during a graduation ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as VRT NWS reported.
A Historic Milestone
Princess Elisabeth, the Duchess of Brabant, completed her two-year Master of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School — one of the world’s most prestigious institutions for public service education. She graduated under her French family name, “Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg,” during a diploma ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, where 630 students from the Government faculty received their degrees.
The graduation marks the culmination of an extraordinary educational journey that positions Elisabeth as one of the best-educated heirs to a European throne. She previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and History from Lincoln College, Oxford University, and completed officer training at Belgium’s Royal Military School.
A Family Celebration
King Filip and Queen Mathilde traveled to the United States to attend the ceremony, watching from the front row alongside other proud parents. After the event, King Filip spoke warmly to the press, as Het Laatste Nieuws reported.
“We are very proud and satisfied. It brings back memories from long ago,” the King said. “We are in a festive period, because we have two more children graduating.” He added: “We are satisfied. And now we’re going to party with Elisabeth.”
Queen Mathilde’s message on May 29 added a lighthearted touch, noting the celebrations were still ongoing — a reflection of the close family bond and the significance of the achievement.
The Graduation Day
The ceremony on May 28 was a full-day affair steeped in Harvard tradition. The morning began with an academic procession through the streets of Cambridge, with thousands of students in black gowns and mortarboards, accompanied by bagpipers from the Boston Police music corps. Princess Elisabeth wore a Belgian tricolor ribbon around her neck, a subtle tribute to her homeland.
A larger ceremony at Harvard Yard followed, hosting approximately 32,000 attendees for all 9,000 graduating students across all faculties. The keynote speech was delivered by American comedian and Harvard alumnus Conan O’Brien, who used the occasion to criticize the Trump administration’s policies toward international students — a group that included Princess Elisabeth herself.
In the afternoon, the Harvard Kennedy School held its diploma ceremony, where Elisabeth spent approximately nine seconds on stage receiving her degree. She was called forward as “Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg.”
’Just Being Elisabeth’
In her first major interview, granted to four Belgian journalists from De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws, Le Soir, and La Libre Belgique, Princess Elisabeth reflected on her time at Harvard with remarkable candor, as VRT NWS detailed.
“My intention was to just be Elisabeth here. That’s why these were such important years for me,” she said. “I could be a student like the rest. Even if people knew who I was, they didn’t think it was strange. I just sat in class with them.”
She described the anonymity as liberating: “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.”
Looking Ahead
When asked about her future role as Belgium’s first queen regnant, Elisabeth was measured and deliberate. “I’m going to try to take some distance and lay a solid foundation for what’s coming. Nothing rushed, everything in its time,” she said.
She plans to take a year or more to travel and reflect before assuming active crown princess duties, which are not expected to begin before 2028. Queen Mathilde will continue to lead trade missions on behalf of the crown until at least 2027.
“I’m just happy to know what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life,” Elisabeth said. “It’s beautiful in a way to know: this is my path, here I will be.”
She also acknowledged that she is part of a remarkable generation of young European female heirs to the throne, alongside Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway — with whom she reportedly stays in touch through a WhatsApp group.
A New Chapter
As the celebrations continue in Cambridge, Princess Elisabeth closes the door on her student years and prepares for the responsibilities ahead. Her journey from Oxford to Harvard has equipped her with a world-class education in public policy, military training, and — perhaps most importantly — the experience of living as an ordinary student before embracing her extraordinary destiny.
“I’ve discovered that I only truly feel at home in Belgium,” she said. For the young woman who will one day become the country’s first reigning queen, that sense of belonging may be the most valuable diploma of all.