The Belgian royal palace shared new images to celebrate her 23rd birthday on Friday, showcasing the young royal, who is destined to become the Queen of Belgium, thriving in the United States.
Since enrolling at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in September, Elisabeth has been pursuing a two-year Master’s degree in Public Policy after earning a 2:1 in History and Politics from Oxford University.
Captured by fellow student Max Bueno, the portraits feature Elisabeth in a £470 striped co-ord from the Parisian brand Ba&sh, complemented by black knee-high boots as she strolls through the picturesque autumn landscape of the prestigious university. Her outfit evokes memories of the Princess of Wales in the early 2000s, who often wore wrap dresses and suede boots.
This isn’t the first time Elisabeth has drawn inspiration from Kate; during Belgium’s National Day last year, she wore a yellow dress by Natan and a wide-brimmed hat reminiscent of one of Kate’s standout Wimbledon outfits.
The Instagram post celebrating her birthday read, “Princess Elisabeth celebrates her 23rd birthday today! Thank you (from the USA) for the birthday wishes!” Followers quickly filled the comments with well-wishes for the eldest child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
Elisabeth was born on October 25, 2001, in Brussels and began her education at St. John Berchmans College before completing her Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales. This school has produced several European royals, including Princess Leonor of Spain and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands.
Prior to her time at Oxford University, which she joined in 2021, Elisabeth underwent military training.
Over the summer, she participated in numerous public engagements with her family, including Belgium’s National Day. She has three younger siblings—Prince Gabriel, 21, Prince Emmanuel, 19, and Princess Elenore, 16—who supported her during the Paris 2024 Olympics in August.
Elisabeth became heir to the throne in 2013 following her grandfather King Albert II’s abdication and was given the title Duchess of Brabant.
