©picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir
Belgian Princess Eléonore (18) will move to Utrecht this fall to begin her university studies. The youngest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will start the English-language bachelor’s program in Liberal Arts & Sciences at University College Utrecht in September.
The Belgian princess has thus chosen a three-year program in which students design their own curriculum from courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. According to Utrecht University, approximately 750 students from some 70 different nationalities study and live on the University College Utrecht campus in a small-scale, international environment.
To be admitted to the program, applicants must, among other requirements, demonstrate excellent command of English and a commitment to social engagement. Upon completion of the program, students earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from Utrecht University.
With her choice, Eléonore continues a long-standing tradition within the Belgian royal family, in which higher education at renowned domestic and international institutions is the rule rather than the exception. For example,Crown Princess Elisabeth previously studied in the United Kingdom and the United States; Prince Gabriel underwent military training; and Prince Emmanuel chose a more sports- and management-oriented path. King Philippe himself also pursued an academic career with studies in Belgium, the United States, and at the military academy.
The choice of Utrecht also underscores the international orientation of the Belgian royal family. For Eléonore, the move to the Netherlands marks a new chapter—outside Belgium’s borders but still close to home. The university positions itself as a place where students receive a broad education and learn to think critically about issues in science and society.
©picture alliance / Anadolu | Dursun Aydemir - King Philippe of Belgium, Queen Mathilde, and their children Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore attend the traditional Te Deum service at St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral on the occasion of National Day, part of the celebrations marking Belgium’s 195th anniversary.