The eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium will study at Harvard University in Boston from this summer. The Belgian court announced this.
Princess Elisabeth leaves for Boston for a Masters in Public Policy. The two-year master’s degree supplements the 22-year-old princess’s university education.
Selection
The Belgian princess had to take a number of entrance tests for the course at the prestigious university, which she passed. The Belgian court also reports that the princess “was selected for a Honorary Award of the U.S. Department of State International Education Exchange Program.”
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“Unforgettable experience”
Philippe Van Parijs, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Leuven, tells VRT that he expects that Elisabeth’s training at Harvard will be an “unforgettable experience” for her. “Not only is it a privilege to be at such an elite university, but Elisabeth will also come into contact with the most interesting people from all over the world. The professors are of a very high quality and things are happening always something.”
educations
It is not the first time that Princess Elisabeth has gone abroad for training. She previously did a bachelor’s degree in history and politics from the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. She also completed military training at the Royal Military School of Belgium. Royalty expert Jo De Poorter tells RTL News that there is a logical explanation for the fact that Elisabeth is now going abroad again for training: she is a lot less recognized there. “It is therefore a choice that ensures peace and tranquility in the life of the heir to the throne, so that he can lead a relatively normal student life.”
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Following in her cousin’s footsteps
Princess Elisabeth is not the first member of the Belgian royal family to study at Harvard. Prince Joachim, the son of Princess Astrid, graduated there in 2021. Elisabeth’s father, King Philippe, also studied in the United States, but at Stanford University.
Sources: ANP, VRT, RTL News