Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant headed off to Wales to begin college yesterday at the United World College (UWC) Atlantic College in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Belgian Royal Palace posted two images of the future Queen of the Belgians on their Twitter account saying, “Leaving for @UWCAtlantic college! #BackToSchool2018.”
One image was just of 16-year-old Elisabeth smiling while sitting on her suitcase. The other image showed her three younger siblings (Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore) telling her goodbye outside the family’s home at the Castle of Laeken.
The Princess will study for the International Baccalaureate, and it is expected that she will complete her degree by 2020.
The Belgian Royal Palace in Belgium made the announcement of the Duchess of Brabant’s attendance earlier this year in March.
UWC Atlantic College is no stranger to future monarchs. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, while he was heir to the Dutch throne, once also studied at the institution. He is currently the Dutch patron of the school. Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, heir to the Dutch throne, was also rumoured to attend this school in the future, albeit the school in China. This was later proven to be untrue.
Princess Elisabeth Theresia Maria Helena was born as the first child of the then Duke and Duchess of Brabant (now King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium) on 25 October 2001 in Erasmus Hospital in Brussels, Belgium. She has three younger siblings Prince Gabriel (b. 2003), Prince Emmanuel (b. 2005), and Princess Eléonore (b. 2008).
She became heir to the Belgian throne upon her grandfather, King Albert II in favour of her father, Philippe on 21 July 2013. Elisabeth also inherited the traditional heir to the throne title of Duke/Duchess of Brabant becoming the Duchess of Brabant as a future Queen of Belgium. If she ascends the throne as expected, Elisabeth will be the first regnant Queen of the Belgians.
