Princess Elisabeth Celebrates 25th Birthday with New Portrait
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium marked her 25th birthday with the release of a new black-and-white portrait distributed by the royal palace, VRT reported. Elisabeth effortlessly combines jeans, gala dresses, and military uniforms.
Stamp Marks Royal Milestone
In honor of her milestone birthday, a special postage stamp featuring Princess Elisabeth was issued, a design that King Philippe does not possess, according to Nieuwsblad. Princess Elisabeth was immortalized in gold for the occasion, RTL.nl reported.
Princess Elisabeth Enjoys Higher Popularity than Her Parents
Public opinion polls published around the national holiday by Het Laatste Nieuws, VTM, and RTL consistently show that Princess Elisabeth enjoys higher popularity ratings than both King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, journalist Jo De Handschutter noted. In an interview regarding these high expectations, Elisabeth acknowledged feeling grateful for the public trust while admitting that the pressure also creates apprehension about meeting those standards.
Unlike King Philippe, whose preparation for the throne followed a different path after King Albert largely kept him out of the preparation for his future role and he was instead taken under the wing of his uncle, King Baudouin—before the latter’s passing led to Albert succeeding him and Philippe becoming crown prince—Elisabeth has received structured preparation alongside her parents. Mathilde has prepared her and will continue to support her. Her education includes completing a bachelor’s degree in history and politics at Lincoln College, part of the University of Oxford, alongside military training.
Future Statements on Colonial History Require Government Consent
Her academic background in history at Oxford places her in an environment where the debate over Belgium’s colonial past is actively discussed. In 2022, King Philippe expressed his “deepest regret” regarding the country’s colonial history in Congo. Discussing whether Princess Elisabeth might expand on that acknowledgment as queen, De Handschutter noted that any future statements regarding historical wrongdoings will depend on political backing and the explicit consent of the prime minister and the government.
Frequently Asked Questions About Princess Elisabeth
What military training has Princess Elisabeth completed?
Princess Elisabeth has followed a military training.
Where did Princess Elisabeth study at the university level?
She studied history and politics at Lincoln College at the University of Oxford.
How do public polls rate her popularity compared to the King and Queen?
Annual popularity polls organized around the national holiday by Het Laatste Nieuws, VTM, and RTL regularly indicate that Princess Elisabeth holds higher approval ratings than King Philippe and Queen Mathilde.
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