Crown Princess Elisabeth's major plans following her Harvard graduation have been revealed.
The future Queen of Belgium, 24, will reportedly undertake a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean after finishing her Master's in Public Policy at the esteemed US institution.
According to Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad, the Princess is considering taking a gap year after her hard work over the past two years.
Sources told the paper that the project is "finalised" although some details are still in development. The planned route would take her from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean during November or December, outside of hurricane season.
Sailing instructor Piet Smet described the journey to the Belgian news agency: "It remains an adventure; nature plays with you. It requires character. I tell all my friends’ children: do it, it is a great experience, it commands respect."
The planned route would delay her official start to royal duties before she one day inherits the throne from her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. She will likely be accompanied by her security detail, including a bodyguard.
According to the monarchy's official website, the royal enjoys sailing as one of her hobbies, alongside skiing, rowing, and walking in nature.
She previously rowed in the Lincoln College Boat Club during her studies at the University of Oxford and was part of the running club at Harvard.
Princess Elisabeth's Harvard graduation
Princess Elisabeth's graduation is taking place on 27 and 28 May. On Wednesday, her proud parents, the King and Queen, arrived in the USA to support their daughter as she concludes her studies at the Boston-based institution.
© GettyShe was later pictured at the Class of 2026 awards ceremony to honour members of the graduating class, though her own achievements will be recognised on Thursday.
Wearing a stunning white dress with a red floral pattern, she looked very summery in Ray Ban shades and coral-shaped earrings.
Princess Elisabeth also has three siblings, Prince Gabriel, 22, Prince Emmanuel, 20, and Princess Eleonore, 18.
A glimpse inside her studies
The royal began her two-year master's degree in public policy in September 2024 after studying history and politics at Oxford.
Her busy schedule has meant that she's only appeared for public duties a handful of times over the past few years.
Ahead of her graduation, the Belgian palace shared new pictures of her hard at work, including studying hard in the library and strolling around campus.
Last year, her studying situation hung in the balance after US President Donald Trump's administration put a ban on international students attending classes on a visa.
She was later allowed to return to the prestigious Massachusetts university.
Belgian royal journalist, Wim Dehandschutter, told HELLO! previously: "I'm convinced the royal palace is happy that a solution has been found, and that it's a good one too. They were in a difficult situation."
He added, "For Elisabeth, it's the last phase of her life in which she can still be anonymous. At the end of her studies, she will take up her active role in Belgium and become an active Crown Princess, the real start of her preparations to become queen. Then her anonymous life will be over."
