Belgian Princess Returning to Harvard After Trump’s Foreign Student Ban Lifted

Princess Elisabeth to Resume Harvard Studies After Trump Ban Blocked.

Princess Elisabeth, heir to the Belgian throne, will continue her studies at Harvard University after a US court halted the Trump administration’s attempt to bar foreign students from attending American institutions.

The 23-year-old royal, pursuing a master’s degree in Public Policy, faced uncertainty when the policy was announced earlier this year. But with the injunction in place, she is set to begin her second year at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government on September 2.

Palace Confirms Development
Xavier Baert, communications director for the Belgian Royal Palace, said: “I can confirm that, for now, all the conditions seem to be in place for the princess to continue her studies at Harvard.”

Trump Policy on Hold
The measure, unveiled in May, was challenged in court and temporarily blocked in June. While the ruling has been appealed, the freeze remains as the academic year begins. The Trump administration argued the ban targeted what it called “politicised elite universities,” a claim rejected by institutions like Harvard, which hosts nearly 6,800 international students—more than a quarter of its student body.

Future Queen in the Making
Princess Elisabeth, first in line to succeed her father King Philippe, is set to become Belgium’s first queen regnant. Her education abroad is viewed as part of her preparation for future duties on the throne.