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Princess Elisabeth took on a vital role for the first time during the Japanese emperor’s state visit to Belgium
The future queen is taking on more royal roles after her recent graduation from Harvard University
When she accedes to the throne after her father, Princess Elisabeth will make history as Belgium’s first female monarch
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium just had a royal first.
The royal heir, 24, took on her first independent diplomatic role over the weekend, officially welcoming Emperor Nahurito and Empress Masako of Japan to Belgium ahead of their state visit to the country. Princess Elisabeth was the first member of the Belgian royal family to greet the couple upon their arrival at BruMil Airport on June 20.
The princess wore a white outfit for the occasion, and she was seen dipping into a curtsy for both the emperor and the empress, in addition to handshakes.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan are welcomed by Princess Elisabeth of Belgium at BruMil Airport on June 20, 2026
Credit: Philip Reynaers/Pool/Getty
While it was the first time that Princess Elisabeth of Belgium took on the task, it’s one that another royal heir takes on regularly. Since King Charles’ accession to the British throne in 2022, Prince William and Kate Middleton have routinely been the first royals to greet visiting dignitaries for state visits.
Princess Elisabeth also joined her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and her three younger siblings in a photo op with Japan’s Imperial couple on June 21, taken at Ciergnon Castle, where the couple is staying.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium with her family, Japanese Empress Masako and Emperor Naruhito on June 21, 2026
Credit: BELGA PHOTO POOL BENOIT DOPPAGNE via Getty
The big moment for Princess Elisabeth comes just weeks after another major milestone. At the end of May, the future queen graduated from Harvard University after completing her two-year master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. (She previously earned her Bachelor’s degree in history and politics at Oxford.)
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde traveled to Boston to watch their eldest daughter’s graduation ceremonies, including collecting her diploma.
When she accedes to the throne after her father, Princess Elisabeth will make history as Belgium’s first female monarch. A new act of succession in the nation introducing absolute primogeniture was put into effect 10 years before her birth, meaning her place in the line of succession wasn’t affected due to the birth of her two younger brothers.
“It is indeed a first, making it historic. It does mean I don’t have an example of a Belgian reigning queen to look up to. A challenge,” she said in a recent interview with HNL. “But my gender isn’t the only thing that defines me.”
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium curtsies to Empress Masako on June 20, 2026
Credit: Philip Reynaers/Pool/Getty
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Princess Elisabeth also shared in the same interview what it was like to know what her future entails.
“I’m actually happy knowing what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life,” she said. “Many people live in uncertainty, not knowing where they are headed. There is a certain beauty in knowing: this is my path, and it leads there.”
She also has support. Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands recently revealed that she’s in a private WhatsApp group with fellow heirs Princess Elisabeth and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.
Princess Elisabeth said of the group chat, “We’ve known each other for a long time and see each other occasionally at events.”
“In my generation, there are several women. You see a similar shift in other monarchies,” she added. “We are all in the same situation. It’s a hurdle we will face together.”
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