Princess Elisabeth of Belgium will return to Harvard University in September to pursue the second year of her Master’s degree in public policy, according to Palace Spokesperson Lore Vandoorne, who confirmed the news on Tuesday.
“All indicators are positive. There’s no concrete obstacle preventing her from continuing her studies this September,” said Ms Vandoorne.
The heir to the Belgian throne began her two-year programme at the Harvard Kennedy School last September and completed her first year in May. Her continuation at Harvard was uncertain after the Trump administration’s late-May decision to block foreign students from enrolling in US universities.
This policy was part of a broader crackdown on higher education by the Republican president, who alleged that elite private institutions were fostering antisemitism and failing to adequately protect Jewish students during protests against the war in Gaza.
Harvard University swiftly challenged the administration’s ruling in court. While the legal battle is still ongoing, the visas of foreign students, including Belgian nationals, have been renewed for the time being.
“I can confirm that 15 Belgian citizens have been awarded Fulbright scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year,” said Erica Lutes, Executive Director of Fulbright Belgium, which facilitates academic exchanges between the US and Belgium. “Most applicants are obtaining their visas, although there are delays due to backlogs at the US Embassy.”
Meanwhile, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has no official information on students from French-speaking universities in the region planning to study at Harvard next year.
