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Belgium

Princess Elisabeth to study at Oxford this fall

The Duchess of Brabant is headed to the United Kingdom to further her education, the Belgian Royal House announced on Tuesday.

In a press release, it was announced that Princess Elisabeth would begin her studies at Lincoln College, which is connected to Oxford University, in October, taking the History and Politics course.

The Belgian Royal House noted that Princess Elisabeth passed the entrance exam requirements for the three-year programme and that she will still be a part of public life in Belgium and will regularly return to carry out official duties as heir to the throne.

The History and Politics course “brings together complementary but distinct disciplines to form a coherent and stimulating programme,” according to the Oxford University website.

Photo: Bas Bogaerts/Belgian Royal Palace

“The degree not only enables students to set contemporary political problems in their historical perspective but also equips them to approach the study of the past with the conceptual rigour derived from political science.”

The programme makes it possible for students to focus on areas as far back as the medieval period while also studying contemporary subjects. “The intellectual rigour of this course benefits from the expertise of Oxford’s political theorists and historians in the history of political thought. It is also strengthened by the thematic approach taken to European and World history teaching in the first year, combined with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity in a number of both Politics and History papers.”

The Oxford University website notes that those who graduate with their degree in History and Politics go on to find careers in fields including accounting, archival work, consulting, politics, law, social work, research, theatre and media, and publishing.

Princess Elisabeth previously received her International Baccalaureate from UWC Atlantic College in Wales—where the Princess of Asturias and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands are both currently studying—in 2020.

She also underwent military training with the Royal Military Academy Belgium, studying Social and Military Sciences. She marched with her fellow students at National Day celebrations in July in front of the Royal Family.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.