Three future European queens have formed an exclusive WhatsApp group chat to help each other navigate the unique challenges of their royal roles, Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has revealed.
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Princess Elisabeth, 24, who recently graduated from Harvard University with a master's degree, disclosed the existence of the group chat in her first major interview. The group includes Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, 22, and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, 22.
"We've known each other for a long time and see each other occasionally at events," Princess Elisabeth told HNL via People. "In my generation, there are several women. You see a similar shift in other monarchies. We are all in the same situation. It's a hurdle we will face together."
Shared Experiences and Challenges
Catharina-Amalia also spoke about the group in a previous interview, saying: "We stay in contact with each other because we are all living a very specific life and we don't need much explanation to understand each other." She added: "It's a good thing that I can chat with Elisabeth and Ingrid Alexandra about very simple things in our life which are difficult, different for us, friendships, privacy, social media. We discuss how we handle it."
It is believed that Princess Leonor of Spain, 20, may also be part of the group, though journalist Wim Dehandschutter noted that Queen Letizia is "very strict" with her daughters, making Leonor less connected than the others.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
The princesses discuss topics such as privacy and friendships. "How do you handle privacy when you're a public figure? How do you react when people want to become friends? Do they want to become friends because you are the future queen or do they really like you?" Dehandschutter said, summarising their conversations.
Catharina-Amalia faced significant safety threats, including kidnapping risks from Dutch organised crime groups. She spent over a year living in Spain, missing "the normal life of a student." Queen Maxima said: "She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside (the palace)... It has enormous consequences on her life."
Academic and Royal Preparation
Princess Elisabeth completed her undergraduate degree at Oxford University and her master's at Harvard, earning a Fulbright Honorary Award. She took her Oxford entrance exam anonymously to avoid preferential treatment. Catharina-Amalia studies Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics at Amsterdam University, while Ingrid Alexandra is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and political economy at the University of Sydney.
Norwegian Royal Family Turmoil
Ingrid Alexandra's move to Australia came amid a difficult period for the Norwegian royal family. Her step-brother, Marius Borg Høiby, faces multiple charges including assault and rape, which he denies. Additionally, Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past connection to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced, which she has publicly regretted.
