Princess diaries: Harvard ban sparks Belgium-US diplomatic concerns

The recent decision by the Trump administration to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students has sparked concerns that it could affect diplomatic relations between Belgium and the United States. This comes as Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth, the country’s future queen, faces uncertainty over her studies at Harvard.

Princess Elisabeth, 23, is currently pursuing a two-year master’s degree in public policy at Harvard. The royal palace said Friday it was monitoring the situation following the US government’s decision.

A spokesman said the palace was "analyzing" the decision and its "potential impact" on the crown princess, while suggesting it was too soon to worry.

"We will also let things settle. A lot can still happen," the palace said.

"Time will tell if there will be an impact on the Princess's studies. In any case, we are closely monitoring the situation."

The diplomatic sensitivity stems from Elisabeth’s unique role as heir to the Belgian throne and a symbol of her country’s connection to the US through education. Any disruption to her studies could complicate these ties.

The ban is part of a broader move by the Trump administration against Harvard, which it accuses of being a "hotbed of anti-Semitism and 'woke' liberal ideology." US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard’s certification under the system allowing foreign students into the country, threatening to block international enrollment unless the university complied with demands to disclose visa records.

Harvard responded by suing the administration, calling the move "unlawful." A judge quickly suspended the action.

US President Donald Trump defended the administration's decision on Sunday, posting on his Truth Social platform:

"Why isn't Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student's education, nor do they ever intend to."

"We want to know who those foreign students are, a reasonable request since we give Harvard BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, but Harvard isn't exactly forthcoming."

The dispute has led to freezing billions of dollars in grants and contracts to Harvard and threats of visa revocation for students involved in protests against the war in Gaza. Harvard’s international students make up more than a quarter of its enrollment, providing significant tuition revenue.

Princess Elisabeth, born in Brussels and educated in Dutch, previously studied at Oxford University. She is poised to become Belgium’s first queen after a 1991 repeal of a law excluding women from the throne.