Harvard Faces a showdown with the Trump Administration, and Princess Elisabeth Expresses Desire for Equal Treatment Rather than Special Privileges
Princess Elisabeth, the heir to the Belgian throne, is currently unable to attend Harvard University in person due to the Trump administration's ban on international students’ visas. However, the princess has chosen not to seek any preferential treatment based on her royal status.
The 23-year-old princess, who began her studies at Harvard University this past fall, is currently enrolled in a two-year Master's degree in public policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She completed her first year and is now back in Belgium undertaking an internship and royal duties while the legal challenge against the visa ban remains pending.
The Trump administration implemented a policy barring international students from attending Harvard on visas, which Harvard legally challenged. A federal court hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2025, which will decide the fate of this policy.
Harvard has indicated that international students might be able to complete their studies remotely via online learning, an approach learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could permit Elisabeth to finish her degree despite travel restrictions.
Princess Elisabeth, along with her parents, has publicly stated she does not want to exploit her royal position to bypass the rules or receive special privileges. Instead, she aims to show solidarity with other international students affected by the ban and to avoid diplomatic complications.
Before joining Town & Country, Emily Burack was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Burack is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, covering entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and various topics. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram under the handle @emburack.
In her spare time at Harvard, Princess Elisabeth runs with some of her international friends in the university's running club. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in History & Politics from Lincoln College, a college of Oxford University, in 2024.
The princess's academic future at Harvard hinges on the upcoming court decision, and she consciously avoids any exceptional accommodations stemming from her royal status.
[1] Harvard files suit against Trump administration over international students
[2] Princess Elisabeth of Belgium's Harvard Education
[3] Princess Elisabeth of Belgium's Internship in Belgium
[1] In the midst of ongoing political news, Harvard University, the prestigious institution where Princess Elisabeth, heir to the Belgian throne, is studying, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the ban on international students' visas.
[2] The royal princess, currently enrolled in a two-year Master's degree in public policy at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, navigates cultural and societal challenges while juggling royal duties and an internship back in Belgium.
[3] Given her keen interest in education-and-self-development, Princess Elisabeth's academic journey, though marked by unexpected hurdles, remains unshaken, as she strives to complete her studies alongside other international students facing similar difficulties.
[4] Amidst general-news headlines and art features, Princess Elisabeth's name continues to make waves in the world of news, thanks to her resilience and determination to obtain a quality education despite political barriers.
[5] In a world filled with entertainment, the bravery and determination of a young royal battling for her education while adhering to the rules serve as an inspiration for thousands of individuals similarly impacted by the visa ban.
