King Albert IIQueen Paola Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant[b] (born 25 October 2001), is the heir apparent to the Belgian throne.

The child of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, she was elevated to the dukedom after her grandfather Albert II abdicated on 21 July 2013.

[8] Her godparents are Archduke Amedeo of Austria-Este (paternal cousin), and Countess Hélène d'Udekem d'Acoz (maternal aunt).

[22][23] Whilst attending the military academy, Elisabeth renounced any money that cadets receive and only obtained a certificate that she has completed the first year of training.

[35] In May 2024, the Belgian Royal Court announced that Elisabeth was admitted into Harvard Kennedy School to study for a two-year master's degree in public policy.

[43] Elisabeth's first public appearance was on 21 July 2006, when she accompanied her parents during the Te Deum for National Day celebrations at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St.

[46] In June 2019, Elisabeth and her mother traveled to Kenya on behalf of the United Nations Children's Fund and visited the Kakuma refugee camp.

[50] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Elisabeth held conversations over the phone with elderly people in residential care centers in order to give them encouragement and support.

[10] On 21 July 2021, she joined fellow students of the Royal Military Academy of Belgium to parade during Belgian National Day.

[53] On 17 June 2022, together with her mother Queen Mathilde, she was among the royal guests invited to the celebrations of the 18th birthday of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.

[59] On 5 May 2023, Elisabeth accompanied her father to a reception at Buckingham Palace the evening before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom.

On 21 July 2013, once Elisabeth's father had sworn the oath of office as King (her grandfather having abdicated shortly before), she became heir apparent to the throne, receiving the title of Duchess of Brabant.