Princess Eléonore of Belgium, the youngest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, has unveiled her plans for higher education, setting a unique course distinct from her siblings. At the age of 18, she is poised to embark on an academic journey at University College Utrecht in the Netherlands, with studies commencing in September.
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Eléonore will be pursuing a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences, allowing her the flexibility to tailor her educational experience by choosing from a variety of humanities, social sciences, and scientific courses. This bespoke approach to her studies marks a divergence from the paths taken by her older brothers and sister, who have each carved out their own academic niches.
Her elder sister, Princess Elisabeth, who is 24 and the heir presumptive to the Belgian throne, has recently completed her two-year Master’s degree in Public Policy at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School. Before that, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in history and politics at the University of Oxford.
In contrast, Prince Gabriel, aged 22, recently finished a preparatory year at the National Mathematics & Science College in England, subsequently graduating from the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. Additionally, he undertook geopolitical studies at the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr in France as part of his military training. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Prince Emmanuel has focused on business studies at the International School of Brussels, graduating in 2024.
Princess Eléonore’s decision to study abroad comes shortly after a notable royal event in her life; in June, she made her tiara debut during a state banquet hosted at the Royal Castle of Laeken in Brussels. The event, which coincided with a state visit from Japan, saw her adorned in a stunning diamond tiara from the Belgian jeweller Cooseman, a gift from her parents in celebration of her 18th birthday.
The royal family has been actively supporting their children’s educational pursuits, recently travelling to Boston to attend Princess Elisabeth’s graduation ceremonies. As the expected successor to her father, Princess Elisabeth stands on the brink of making history as Belgium’s first queen regnant, as she prepares to join a cohort of young women poised to take thrones across Europe, including Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, and Princess Leonor of Spain.
The topic of abdication seems to be a recurring discussion within European royal circles, with varying opinions among monarchs. King Philippe ascended to the throne in 2013 at 53 years of age, following the abdication of his father, King Albert II, at 79 due to health concerns. This past year, when asked about his potential abdication to pave the way for his daughter, he responded thoughtfully.
“A King steps back but is not retired,” he remarked, according to a translation shared by HOLA!. He emphasised his ongoing commitment to Belgium, stating, “I will continue to work for Belgium, and I must give my daughter time to enjoy her youth, develop herself and see the world. I support her 100% in that, and I will do everything I can to give her all the time she needs.”
Princess Eléonore now stands ready to follow her own ambitions in a fresh educational setting, keen to explore various disciplines over the next three years. Her decision not only reflects her individual aspirations but also highlights the growing trend among royal family members to seek diverse educational experiences across the globe.
As the young royal begins this new chapter, there is considerable public interest in her future academic achievements and how these may shape her role in the monarchy and her contributions to Belgian society. Both she and her siblings will undoubtedly continue to inspire a new generation of young individuals, not only within Belgium but across the broader European landscape.