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Future queen of Belgium caught up in Harvard foreign student ban
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 23, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 23, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium's studies at Harvard are threatened by a new U.S. ban on foreign students, as the Trump administration revokes their enrollment rights.
By Charlotte Van Campenhout
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old future queen of Belgium, has just completed her first year at Harvard University but the ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on foreign students studying there could jeopardise her continued studies.
The Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students on Thursday, and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status in the U.S., while also threatening to expand the crackdown to other colleges.
"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," the Belgian Royal Palace's spokesperson Lore Vandoorne said.
"We are analyzing this at the moment and will let things settle. A lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks," the Palace's communication director, Xavier Baert, added.
Elisabeth is studying Public Policy at Harvard, a two-year master's degree program that according to the university's website broadens students' perspectives and sharpens their skills for "successful career in public service".
The princess is heir to the Belgian throne, as the eldest of four children born to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Before attending Harvard, she earned a degree in history and politics from the UK's Oxford University.
Harvard said on Thursday the move by the Trump administration - which affects thousands of students - was illegal and amounted to retaliation.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Frances Kerry)
The Trump administration revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll international students, forcing current foreign students to transfer or lose their legal status.
Princess Elisabeth is studying Public Policy at Harvard, which is a two-year master's degree program aimed at broadening students' perspectives and sharpening their skills.
Harvard stated that the move by the Trump administration was illegal and amounted to retaliation, affecting thousands of students.
Before attending Harvard, Princess Elisabeth earned a degree in history and politics from the UK's prestigious secondary school, UWC Atlantic College.
Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year at Harvard, and the impact of the Trump administration's decision on her situation is still being assessed.
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