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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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Princess Elisabeth, the 23-year-old heir to the Belgian throne, has just finished her first year at Harvard University. However, her academic future in the United States is now uncertain due to a new policy by President Donald Trump's administration.
On Thursday, the administration revoked Harvard's authority to enroll international students, requiring current foreign students to either transfer to other institutions or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. Officials have also signaled that similar actions may be taken against other universities.
On Friday, a U.S. judge halted the Trump administration's attempt to strip Harvard University of its ability to enroll international students.
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U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, issued a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the policy.
"Princess Elisabeth has just completed her first year. The impact of (the Trump administration's) decision will only become clearer in the coming days/weeks. We are currently investigating the situation," Belgian Royal Palace's spokesperson Lore Vandoorne told Reuters.
"We are analyzing this at the moment and will let things settle. A lot can still happen in the coming days and weeks," the Palace's communication director, Xavier Baert, added.
Newsweek has reached out to the Belgian Embassy in Washington for comment.
Why It Matters
Elisabeth is the eldest of four children of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. Prior to enrolling at Harvard, she completed a degree in history and politics at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
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What To Know
The Trump administration accuses Harvard of being in the grip of a leftist ideology that prioritizes diversity over meritocracy and has allowed antisemitism to flourish on campus, prompting its demand for reforms.
However, the college says the Trump administration is engaged in political meddling and is infringing on its constitutional rights.
After the revocation, a federal judge in California halted the administration's attempt to end the legal status of international students while a legal challenge to previous terminations is ongoing.
On Thursday, Harvard sued the Trump administration over its decision, which impacts thousands of international students.
Legal experts told Newsweek that Harvard is likely to succeed in its challenge of the Trump administration's decision*.*
The Trump administration's pressure on Harvard is part of a broader Republican effort to push universities, law firms, the media, the judiciary, and other traditionally nonpartisan institutions to conform to the president's political agenda, particularly around antisemitism.
What People Are Saying
Harvard President Doctor Alan M. Garber said in a letter to the college community: "We condemn this unlawful and unwarranted action. It imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars across Harvard and serves as a warning to countless others at colleges and universities throughout the country who have come to America to pursue their education and fulfill their dreams."
Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired professor of immigration law at Cornell University, said: "I think Harvard will win its lawsuit, on both procedural and substantive grounds."
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in a statement Thursday: "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.
"Harvard had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. It refused. They have lost their Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification as a result of their failure to adhere to the law.
"Let this serve as a warning to all universities and academic institutions across the country."
What's Next
The Trump administration's order regarding Harvard remains blocked for now.
Update: 5/23/25, 11:35 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 5/23/25, 12:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update: 5/23/25, 1:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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