Harvard-Studying Princess Wins Temporary Reprieve From Trump Ban

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-19 14:23:26 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-19 16:39:20

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It was a case of judicial lemonade from judicial lemons for one Belgian royally-connected student. A federal judge's ruling to block the Trump administration's ban on foreign students studying in the U.S. has allowed Princess Elisabeth to resume her studies at Harvard University.

The 19-year-old, who is next in line to the Belgian throne, had been forced to return home last week following the controversial rule change by the Trump administration. Several major universities had filed lawsuits against the rule which required international students to transfer or risk losing their visa status if they were only able to attend online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Allison Burroughs, who described the policy as "chaotic" and "wreak havoc", handed Princess Elisabeth and her fellow impacted students a temporary reprieve, announcing the rule "shall not be enforced" while legal challenges play out in court. It remains unclear whether the Belgian royal will be able to attend in-person classes when the new semester begins next week.

Her advisor and uncle, Prince Laurent, told Belgian newspaper La Libre that the princess was "upset" about the situation, but remained optimistic, adding: "We must admit that Elisabeth's case is particular, because, obviously, she is not just any student."

For now, the young royal will be able to continue her studies for a bachelor's degree in history and literature at the famed Ivy League school, a dream she has had since childhood.

"I have always wanted to go there," she told Belgian magazine Humo in 2018. "It doesn't bother me that there is no royal title to hang on it. I want to be able to study like any other young person."

Indeed, the young royal has reportedly shunned luxury and taken a spartan approach to life in her dorm, eschewing a private room with her royal status and preferring to share a dorm with other students.

"She is just like any other 19-year-old," Prince Laurent said. "When she chooses something, she does it with her heart and commits herself entirely, without thinking about whether it will be easy or difficult."

It remains to be seen if the young royal will be able to resume her dream studies and career trajectory in the U.S. or if the Trump administration will mount a successful appeal.

Judge Burroughs' injunction offered hope to international students, marking a temporary win for advocates against what many see as discriminatory and chaotic immigration policy from the Trump administration.

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