Prince Gabriel was christened at Ciergnon Castle, the spectacular summer residence of the Belgian royal family, with his maternal uncle Count Charles-Henri d’Udekem d’Acoz and paternal second cousin Baroness Maria Cristina von Freyberg-Eisenberg selected as his godparents. Speaking of his eldest son, King Philippe previously said his name was chosen because it is ‘beautiful, short and powerful’ and pays tribute to ancestors on both sides of the family. It also recognises the family’s Catholic faith.
Raised at the Royal Palace of Laeken, the primary residence of the Belgian royal family, Prince Gabriel studied at a Dutch-language school in Brussels before finishing his secondary education at an English-language private school. The prince also undertook a one-year preparatory A-level course at The National Mathematics and Science College, in Warwickshire.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium looks at Prince Gabriel as they attend the Blue Berets parade held by first-year students of the Royal Military Academy, September 2022
ERIC LALMAND/Getty Images
In August 2022, the palace announced Prince Gabriel would enrol at the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. It is understood the prince is studying social and military sciences. As the future Queen of Belgium, Princess Elisabeth completed a one-year course at the academy. The siblings both took part in a training course last summer. Photos released from the residential retreat show Elisabeth and Gabriel carrying out exercises in camouflage uniform.
‘During this camp, the student officers were taken out of their comfort zone and had to learn to push their limits. The programme included obstacle courses, camouflage lessons, target practice and sports activities,’ the Palace said. ‘It also strengthened the group spirit among the students as they had to complete the exercises together, and in an environment that was unfamiliar to them.’ Princess Elisabeth had attended summer camp previously, but it was Prince Gabriel’s first.