Princess Elisabeth of Belgium opens 3D-printing laboratory named after her at KU Leuven

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium cut a stylish figure as she stepped out today to open a 3D-printing laboratory named after her at KU Leuven.

The future queen, 20, opened the Princess Elisabeth Additive Manufacturing Lab at the Leuven-based research university, of which the Oxford student is an ambassador. 

Looking typically stylish, Elisabeth, who is back in her home country after finishing her first years of studies, opted for a statement gold shirt and off-white trousers when attending today’s engagement. 

The future queen, 20, opened the Princess Elisabeth Additive Manufacturing Lab at the Leuven-based research university, of which the Oxford student is an ambassador 

Looking typically stylish, Elisabeth, who is back in her home country after finishing her first years of studies, opted for a statement gold shirt and off-white trousers when attending today’s engagement 

During today’s event, the princess unveiled a silver plaque outside the lab and got a tour of the facility.

She looked effortlessly chic in a gold and beige button-up blouse and cream trousers. 

Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, she accessorised with gold chandler earrings and a cream stylish clutch bag.

Her glam makeup enhanced her naturally pretty features and her brunette locks were swept back into a ponytail. 

Adding a touch of glitz to her outfit, she accessorised with gold chandler earrings and a cream stylish clutch bag 

Her glam makeup enhanced her naturally pretty features and her brunette locks were swept back into a ponytail 

It comes after the princess spent her Easter holiday at a training course in Leopoldsburg, near the Dutch border. 

The Belgian royal family released photographs of Elisabeth in face paint and camouflage combat gear as she joined fellow trainee officers to learn essential skills. 

This summer Elisabeth will return to Belgium for a camp run by the the Royal Military Academy (RMA), the university of the Belgian Defense, responsible for the academic, military and physical training of its future officers.  

Elisabeth enrolled in a course with the RMA in September 2020 and remains involved in training despite being a full-time first-year student at Oxford.

The princess was given a demonstration on how the new 3D-printing machine works by a member of staff 

Elisabeth sat in a lecture hall with some of the university staff members and government officials 

She was greeted outside the university by some adoring students who shook her hand before the tour 

The balance of academic and military experience is regarded an essential foundation for her future life as queen.  

Elisabeth is the eldest daughter of King Philippe of Belgium, 62, and his wife, Queen Mathilde, 49. The couple also share sons Prince Gabriel, 18, and Prince Emmanuel, 16, and daughter Princess Eléonore, 14.

The princess completed her secondary education at UWC Atlantic College in South Wales – based at a 12th-century castle and dubbed the ‘Hippie Hogwarts’ – where she boarded for 18 months.

She looked effortlessly chic in a gold and beige button-up blouse and cream trousers 

She received a tour of the manufacturing lab and got a demonstration on how the 3D printer works 

She added a pop of colour to her makeup with a bright pink lipstick for the special occasion 

Spain’s Crown Princess Leonor, 16, and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, 16, are both current students.  

When lockdown hit, Elisabeth returned to live with her parents in Brussels and completed her schooling remotely.

In September 2021 she graduated from her one-year course in social and military sciences at the RMA, where her father also studied.

The following month the Belgian royal household announced the princess had started her undergraduate degree at Lincoln College, Oxford.  

She appeared in great spirits as she beamed for the camera in an array of snaps inside the university 

Elizabeth enjoyed a tour of the university and the 3D manufacturing lab which she lent her name to 

She appeared keen to see for herself how the process worked and peered in through a glass window of the machine

According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the princess completed a written entrance exam in history ‘anonymously’ so that her social status would not affect her marks.

Elisabeth is believed to have chosen the course herself, in agreement with her parents, and reportedly consulted with alumni from various universities and made her decision based on what would be most useful to her in her role as queen later in life.

The royal family announced at the time that the princess would ‘regularly return to Belgium and remain involved in Belgian public life’ while she studies in the UK.