Belgium's future queen turns 22: why Elizabeth is compared to Kate Middleton and considered the ideal princess

On October 25, Princess Elizabeth of Belgium,  who is also known as the Duchess of Brabant, celebrated her 22nd birthday. She is the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and is the heir to the Belgian throne. Despite her young age, the girl is called a model and exemplary princess of the feminist era.

Elizabeth is already changing the public perception of monarchs of the twenty-first century. However, she is not a rebel princess like the British Margaret and Diana. Her path is closer to Kate Middleton, an educated and intelligent duchess who honors long-standing traditions but contributes to the modernization of monarchical customs.

In honor of Elizabeth's birthday, the royal family posted photos of the princess on Twitter. The young girl smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Princess Elizabeth is celebrating her 22nd birthday today! She has just started her final year of a BA in History and Politics at Oxford University," the caption reads.

Ten years before Elizabeth's birth, the Belgian constitution underwent some changes: the principle that the first child of the king should become the heir to the throne regardless of gender was enshrined. Before that, only men were allowed to inherit the king's seat.

After her father's coronation in 2013, Princess Elizabeth became the heir to his throne. She will become the country's first queen regent.

The girl studied at a Catholic college in Brussels. During this time, she became fluent in Dutch, French, and English. Elizabeth needed this knowledge after entering the British College of the Atlantic, which is very popular among royal families.

In the spring of 2020, the princess returned home due to the global pandemic. She graduated from college remotely.  While she was free, she got   interested in sports and volunteering. Elizabeth sought to help her compatriots through difficult times: she visited the elderly and provided them with food.

This was not the first time the princess demonstrated her connection with Belgian citizens. When Elizabeth turned 18, she decided to celebrate her coming of age not only with high-ranking officials but also with Belgian youth. About 80 of her peers were invited to the Royal Palace. Elizabeth wanted to give young people a chance to express themselves.

That day, the birthday girl wore an elegant white coat dress and nude heels. Netizens appreciated the princess's image and called her a worthy successor to her mother, Queen Matilda, an icon of classic style.

The affection for Elizabeth's images does not fade away. Three years ago, the royal family published a photo of the princess, announcing the future alma mater of the heiress. After that, sales of the leggings worn by the girl instantly skyrocketed.

This case reminded many people of the "Kate Middleton effect": as soon as the Princess of Wales appears in a new look, it is immediately sold out. Therefore, we can conclude that Elizabeth has no less influence on the public and fashion.

The Belgian princess took a course in social and military science at the Royal Military Academy, which provides in-depth training in the components of state defense: the army, air force, navy, and medical service. Her father and other relatives graduated from this institution, but Elizabeth is the first woman of the royal family to receive such serious military training.

The 22-year-old has recently started her final year at Oxford University, where she is studying for a bachelor's degree in history and politics. Elizabeth chose her major after consulting with her parents and talking to graduates of various universities. The princess made her decision based on what would be most useful to her as the future queen.

In September 2023, Princess Elisabeth officially became an officer of the Royal Military Academy. She swore "allegiance to the king, obedience to the Constitution and laws of the Belgian people."

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told about how Queen Maxima of the Netherlands puzzled her fans. During a tour of South Africa, the royal appeared at a public event in a completely inappropriate dress.

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