Wearing a black and red gown, the iconic square graduation cap and holding an inflatable globe: this is how students at Harvard University (Cambridge, USA) traditionally celebrate their graduation. Wednesday and Thursday will be no different when it is the turn of Crown Princess Elisabeth of the Belgians.
Crown Princess Elisabeth graduates from Harvard this week: What does the ceremony look like?
Colin Clapson
Published:
Every year, between 7,500 and 11,000 students graduate from the various departments at the prestigious Harvard University in the US.
To mark this personal milestone, graduates can look forward to an impressive celebration lasting several days. Harvard calls it ‘graduation week’.
King Filip (66) and Queen Mathilde (53) will be attending on Tuesday for the presentation of their eldest daughter Elisabeth’s master’s degree, just as they did two years ago when the princess graduated from Lincoln College (Oxford).
Unlike on that occasion, her brother Prince Emmanuel and sister Princess Eléonore will not be attending this time. Understandably so: exams are just around the corner. The 2024 graduation ceremony in England took place in July.
What does Day 1 look like on Wednesday?
The Class of 2026 Awards Ceremony involves students, their guests and lecturers from the Harvard Kennedy School, where Elisabeth studied, coming together.
They’ll look back on their achievements in a festive celebration filled with speeches by students.
What’s on the agenda for Day 2 on Thursday?
Thursday is the absolute high point and begins with the academic procession.
Students will take part in a short procession through the streets of Cambridge, accompanied by bagpipers from the Boston Police Band.
The procession is followed by a busy, exuberant morning ceremony with an estimated 30,000 to 32,000 attendees, including Filip, King of Belgians, and Queen Mathilde. It involves graduates from all faculties.
The celebration takes place in Harvard Yard, the oldest part of the campus, a grassy area surrounded by 27 fences and gates where most of the student houses and the main libraries are located.
After lunch, the students will parade to their respective graduation ceremonies, which will be smaller-scale events.
Crown Princess Elisabeth will receive her degree on stage, alongside around 630 other students and under the proud gaze of her parents.