Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, occupies the position of heir apparent to the Belgian throne, a role she assumed following the abdication of her grandfather, Albert II, on 21 July 2013. Born in 2001 at Erasmus Hospital, she represents the first in the line of succession for the Belgian monarchy.
Early Education and Academic Path
Elisabeth attended St. John Berchmans College in Brussels from 2004 until 2018, marking a transition in royal tradition by beginning her education in Dutch. She later transitioned to UWC Atlantic College in Wales, where she earned her International Baccalaureate in 2020. Her higher education includes a Bachelor of Arts in history and politics from Lincoln College, Oxford, completed in 2024, and a master's degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, concluded in 2026.
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In August 2020, Elisabeth entered the Royal Military Academy in Brussels to study social and military sciences. Over the course of her training, she participated in annual summer camps and theoretical coursework. By 26 September 2023, she had completed the necessary requirements to swear the officers' oath and was commissioned as a second lieutenant across three branches of the Belgian Armed Forces.
Public Representation and Athletics
Beyond her academic and military duties, Elisabeth engages in public life, including her 2019 visit to the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya with her mother. She also maintains an active interest in sports, having competed as a rower for the Lincoln College Boat Club during the Torpids race in February 2023. Her public activities range from christening research vessels to attending international state events, including receptions surrounding the coronation of King Charles III.
Fast facts
- Born: 2001, Erasmus Hospital
- Citizenship: Belgium
- Heir apparent: Since 2013
- Military Rank: Second lieutenant
- Awards: Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold (2019)
- Languages spoken: French, German, English, Dutch
- Education: UWC Atlantic College, Royal Military Academy, Lincoln College, Harvard Kennedy School
Questions readers ask
Will Princess Elisabeth be the first queen regnant of Belgium?
Yes, should she ascend to the throne as expected, she will be the first-ever queen regnant in Belgian history.
What specific military rank does she hold?
Elisabeth is a commissioned second lieutenant in the Belgian Armed Forces.
Achievements
- Educated at St. John Berchmans College, UWC Atlantic College and Royal Military Academy
- Worked as aristocrat, student and rower
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