The Duchess of Brabant receives her degree

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Elisabeth de Saxe-Cobourg accepted her diploma, a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, on May 28.  As her name was called, the young Belgian royal smiled and walked confidently across the stage as she was handed the diploma.  Her proud parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, were in the audience for the ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The princess, whose official title is the Duchess of Brabant, is the heir to the Belgian throne. 

Shortly before the commencement events began,  Princess Elisabeth spoke with several Belgian journalists.

She spoke about her own position as heir to the Belgian throne and explained to her fellow American students about the monarchy in Europe.  But she did not use her title at Harvard.

"My goal was simply to be Elisabeth, because that's important to me. Everyone knew, but it was possible to live like any other student. Even if people know, they get used to it."

 

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