The Future Queen of Belgium Makes Her Mom's Lady Dior Bag the Star of Her Harvard Graduation Outfit

Princess Elisabeth marked a major milestone on May 28 as she officially became a graduate of Harvard University. Her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, made the trip from Belgium for the 24-year-old future queen’s celebrations—and Elisabeth borrowed a special accessory from her mom, Queen Mathilde, for an awards ceremony ahead of the graduation.

On May 27, Princess Elisabeth toted a burgundy Lady Dior bag previously carried by her mother as she attended the Harvard Kennedy School's class of 2026 awards event. The classic quilted bag, which was named after Princess Diana, coordinated with Elisabeth's Maje slingback heels and the red flowers in her maxi dress. The royal chose Maje's $690 white silk design, pairing it with red cluster earrings by Bamboleira, with the shade honoring the red of the Belgian flag.

The Queen of the Belgians tried out the butter yellow trend for the awards while also nodding to the Belgian flag, wearing a pastel dress with a ruched waist by one of her favorite designers, Natan Couture.

Queen Mathilde continued to embrace flag dressing at the official graduation ceremony on May 28, wearing an elegant red pencil dress as she posed for a photo in the audience with King Philippe.

Oxford graduate Elisabeth, who is the heir to Belgian throne, has a Bachelor’s degree in history and politics and went on to study public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. She tossed an inflatable globe in the air as she posed for pictures with her fellow Harvard classmates, wearing a drape around her neck with the red, yellow and black of the Belgian flag.

Before she takes on full-time royal duties, Elisabeth has some exciting plans in the works. The princess will be taking a gap year during which she'll embark on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean—and perhaps she can take some tips from Princess Kate, who once worked a yacht deckhand.