Future queen of Belgium caught up in Harvard foreign student ban

By Charlotte Van Campenhout

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old future queen of Belgium, has simply accomplished her first yr at Harvard College however the ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on international college students learning there may jeopardise her continued research.

The Trump administration revoked Harvard College’s skill to enroll worldwide college students on Thursday, and is forcing present international college students to switch to different faculties or lose their authorized standing within the U.S., whereas additionally threatening to broaden the crackdown to different schools.

“Princess Elisabeth has simply accomplished her first yr. The affect of (the Trump administration’s) resolution will solely change into clearer within the coming days/weeks. We’re at present investigating the state of affairs,” the Belgian Royal Palace’s spokesperson Lore Vandoorne stated.

“We’re analyzing this in the mean time and can let issues settle. So much can nonetheless occur within the coming days and weeks,” the Palace’s communication director, Xavier Baert, added.

Elisabeth is learning Public Coverage at Harvard, a two-year grasp’s diploma program that based on the college’s web site broadens college students’ views and sharpens their abilities for “profitable profession in public service”.

The princess is inheritor to the Belgian throne, because the eldest of 4 kids born to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Earlier than attending Harvard, she earned a level in historical past and politics from the UK’s Oxford College.

Harvard stated on Thursday the transfer by the Trump administration – which impacts 1000’s of scholars – was unlawful and amounted to retaliation.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Modifying by Frances Kerry)