Princess Elisabeth, Belgium's Future Queen, Returns Home Amid Doubtful Harvard Future
Elisabeth is on her summer vacation in Belgium and was recently spotted accompanying her mother, Queen Mathilde, to the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition at the Bozar in Brussels
Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old heir apparent to the Belgian throne, has returned to Belgium after completing her first year in a two-year master's programme in public policy at Harvard University amid growing uncertainty over her future at the Ivy League institution after the Trump administration's crackdown on international students.
The Hindustan Times, quoting media outlet 'Het Laatste Nieuws', said Elisabeth is on her summer vacation in Belgium and was recently spotted accompanying her mother, Queen Mathilde, to the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition at the Bozar in Brussels. She has reportedly also joined an internship related to international relations and human rights.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had demanded that Harvard provide detailed records of its international students, including information on any 'illegal and violent activities". Failure to comply could have resulted in the university losing its eligibility to enroll foreign students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In response, Harvard refused to turn over the requested records, citing concerns over academic freedom and student privacy. Subsequently, the administration froze over $2 billion in federal grants and contracts to the university.
In the face of these developments, a Massachusetts judge issued a preliminary injunction temporarily preventing changes to Harvard's visa programme, offering a glimmer of hope to international students like Princess Elisabeth. Nonetheless, the situation remains fluid, and the Belgian Royal Palace has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the princess's ability to continue her studies in the US.
Born in 2001, Elisabeth is the eldest of the four children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. She is the heir to the Belgian throne and will one day make history as Belgium's first-ever Queen regnant.
According to New York Post, before enrolling at Harvard, Princess Elisabeth earned a degree in history and politics from the University of Oxford. She has also undergone military training at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium. Fluent in Dutch, French, German, and English, she is considered a promising future leader.
When the ban was announced last month, Belgian Royal Palace's spokesperson Lore Vandoorne was quoted by Reuters as saying: 'Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of (the Trump administration's) decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation".
A report in the Times of India highlighted how the uncertainty surrounding US policies on international students has had a ripple effect on global education trends. Traditional academic powerhouses, particularly in the United States, are facing challenges that threaten their dominance in global education. A combination of restrictive visa policies, stricter immigration laws, and rising educational costs are diminishing their appeal to international students. This volatility has spurred a shift in global student mobility, with countries offering more favourable immigration policies and affordable education becoming attractive alternatives.
First Published:
June 02, 2025, 11:13 IST
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