Princess Delphine’s Children: Law Career and Uganda Gap Year
Princess Delphine of Belgium has offered a rare and intimate glimpse into the futures of her children, Princess Joséphine (22) and Prince Oscar (18), revealing aspirations that range from human rights law to volunteer work in East Africa. In an exclusive interview with Story magazine, the princess shared details about her children’s career ambitions, academic pursuits, and the values she hopes to instill in them.
A Royal Family’s New Chapter
The announcement comes six years after Princess Delphine and her children were officially recognized as members of the Belgian royal family. Following a landmark legal battle and DNA test, the Brussels Court of Appeal ruled in October 2020 that Delphine—the daughter of former King Albert II—and her children were entitled to the titles of Princess and Prince of Belgium with the style of Royal Highness, as VRT NWS reported at the time. Since then, Joséphine and Oscar have gradually stepped into the public eye, and this latest interview offers the most detailed picture yet of their life paths.
Joséphine’s Path to Human Rights Law
Princess Joséphine, who turned 22 last October, has set her sights on a career as a lawyer specializing in human rights and international law. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Human Rights at Leiden University’s Den Haag campus last year and has already gained practical experience through two internships: one at the Red Cross in Mechelen and another at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels.
“She is enormously driven by justice and dares to make herself heard. She has always had that assertiveness,” Princess Delphine told Story magazine, as Het Laatste Nieuws reported. The princess added with a smile that her daughter’s eloquence was evident from an early age: “As a baby she never crawled, but she always moved around on her bottom. She only started walking at age two. But she already talked like a lawyer.”
According to Delphine, Joséphine’s language skills—inherited from her father, American businessman James O’Hare—serve her well in her chosen field. “She has always picked up languages incredibly well, which makes her good at expressing herself,” the princess said.
Oscar’s Gap Year Adventure
Prince Oscar, who recently graduated from secondary school, is taking a gap year before pursuing university studies. His plans include a meaningful journey to Uganda, where he will volunteer at an orphanage that is part of a Belgian doctors’ project. Following his time in Uganda, Oscar will work for three months at an international English-language organization.
Princess Delphine expressed her full support for her son’s decision to take time before committing to a university path. “It’s good that he sees the world first before jumping into something he might regret because he decided too quickly,” she said. However, she admitted some maternal concern about his travels: “I just don’t want Oscar to travel alone. I would find that really terrifying, although he probably wouldn’t see it as much of a problem.”
Grounded Values and Summer Work
A striking detail from the interview is that both royal children are required to work summer jobs, reflecting their mother’s commitment to grounding them in everyday realities. Joséphine spent time babysitting in Italy, while Oscar is working at a local supermarket and attending his final scout camp.
“That’s how they learn about life and realize that you have to work for money,” Delphine explained, emphasizing that she wants her children to understand the value of money through firsthand experience.
Notably, neither child has expressed interest in following their mother’s artistic career. Princess Delphine, an accomplished artist and sculptor whose work has been exhibited internationally, remarked: “You have to be crazy to want to become an artist. It’s a hard and lonely job.” As Wikipedia notes, Delphine studied at the Chelsea School of Art and Design in London before building her career as a visual artist.
Looking Ahead
Joséphine plans to continue her studies toward becoming a human rights lawyer, while Oscar will attend university after completing his gap year. The interview paints a picture of a modern, grounded royal family—one where humanitarian values, hard work, and careful life planning take center stage.
The children’s gradual emergence into public life represents a continuing normalization of their position within the Belgian monarchy, six years after their historic recognition. While the Royal Palace has not issued an official statement regarding the interview, the revelations offer the Belgian public—and royal watchers worldwide—a heartening glimpse of the next generation of this uniquely modern royal family.