Princess Elisabeth will make history as Belgium's first queen regnant. Fresh from completing her master's degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, she sat down with Belgian journalists for an interview covering her future as queen, the royal duties on the horizon, and the student life she is now leaving behind.
Elisabeth's story is part of a broader shift in European royal history, where a new generation of women is poised to inherit thrones across the continent. Elisabeth is acutely aware of her place in that moment, hoping it won't be all that defines her.
© BENOIT DOPPAGNE/Belga/Sipa USALike Princess Leonor of Spain, Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Elisabeth is heir to her country's throne. "We know each other and have coincided at different events," she said of her fellow heirs.
She acknowledges that they all have fewer role models than previous heirs, which is part of what makes the moment so novel. Still, there's plenty of time for Elisabeth to prepare for the task. The road ahead is long, with King Philippe making it clear that he has no plans to abdicate anytime soon. "Everything in its time," she said.
© WireImageFor now, Elisabeth is comfortable in her role as heir apparent and is not expected to take on any new formal duties in the near future.
Life as a Student in Boston
Though the Princess carries her title with her wherever she goes, the past two years have given her the chance to be Elisabeth. Living in Boston, she shared a flat with friends and embraced the rhythms of student life. She recalled being asked questions that were "a little crazy," which she answered as a friend and classmate, remaining aware that it also fell to her, as a princess, to help others understand her world.
© Geert Vanden Wijngaert/Getty ImagesShe said living outside of Belgium and close to what she described as "the center of global power" gave her a fresh perspective on Europe. Elisabeth is returning home with many lessons and memorable moments, including a visit from her sister Eléonore, who recently turned 18, and participating in the New York City Marathon alongside friends, an experience she described as "typically American."
What Comes Next
After earning her undergraduate degree in history and politics from Oxford University and her master's in public policy from Harvard, Elisabeth is in no rush to fill her calendar. Rather than diving into new commitments, she plans to take her time, focusing on spending time with her siblings and her family in Belgium. She leaves her student life behind with one piece of advice that has stayed with her: "Be humble and work hard."
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