Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old future queen of Belgium, has just completed her first year at Harvard University but the ban imposed by Donald Trump’s administration on foreign students studying there could jeopardise her continued attendance.
The US president’s administration revoked Harvard’s ability to enrol international students on Thursday, and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status in the US, 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,” said a spokesperson for the Belgian royal palace, Lore Vandoorne.
“We are analysing 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 programme that, according to the university’s website, broadens students’ perspectives and sharpens their skills for a “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 University of Oxford.
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Harvard said on Thursday the move by the Trump administration, which affects thousands of students, was illegal and amounted to retaliation.
ther_dog on May 23rd, 2025 at 17:43 UTC »
I remember in his first term, POTUS wondered out loud about why people from “white” European counties aren’t immigrating to the US instead of from those “sh*thole” countries. He’s his own worst enemy in terms of promotion, self or otherwise.
Anteater4746 on May 23rd, 2025 at 17:30 UTC »
Go read the DHS rational for this decision it’s insanity. They accuse Harvard of basically working with the CCP to undermine American interests
scapaflow40 on May 23rd, 2025 at 17:23 UTC »
There will be lots of sons and daughters of prominent politicians and rich internationals impacted by this. I bet there will be lots of exceptions made.