Princess Elisabeth of Belgium—heir to the throne and current Harvard Kennedy School student—may be forced to leave the U.S. following a controversial move by the Trump administration to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.
The decision, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, stripped Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. This certification allows universities to sponsor F and J visas for international students and visiting scholars. Without it, thousands of students—including the 23-year-old princess—are left in legal uncertainty.
“We are currently investigating the situation,” said Belgian Royal Palace spokesperson Lore Vandoorne. Communications Director Xavier Baert echoed the sentiment, stating that “a lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks.”
A Royal in Academic Limbo
Princess Elisabeth, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, just completed her first year. She previously earned her undergraduate degree in history and politics from Oxford University under the name “Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg.”
Harvard currently has around 6,800 enrolled international students who are now left scrambling for options. According to the administration, existing foreign students must transfer to other institutions to maintain their visa status—a requirement that is riddled with logistical and legal complications.
Despite the Trump administration’s claim that the action was part of efforts to combat campus antisemitism and alleged ties between Harvard and the Chinese Communist Party, critics—including Harvard officials—are calling the move politically motivated and unconstitutional.
“We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action,” said Harvard President Alan Garber. “Without international students, Harvard is not Harvard.”
Legal Battle in Progress
Harvard has swiftly responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the administration’s decision violates both the First Amendment and due process protections. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs temporarily blocked the action just hours after the lawsuit was filed, offering short-term relief to affected students. A hearing is set for May 29 to determine whether a longer pause will be granted.
Meanwhile, the royal palace in Belgium continues to monitor the situation, offering support to Princess Elisabeth and hoping for a resolution that allows her to continue her studies uninterrupted.
The timing of this unprecedented action couldn’t be more precarious—with Harvard’s spring term wrapping up and summer courses just weeks away, thousands of international students remain in a holding pattern, unsure whether they’ll be able to stay in the U.S.
