Princess Elisabeth of Belgium visits children's hospital she helped open

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has visited the children's hospital she helped open as a child and that is named in honour of her.

The heir to the Belgian throne chose a striking look for the solo engagement.

Princess Elisabeth, 22, wore a pea-green suit with matching trousers, a grey turtleneck and books for the visit.

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The royal held her own during the event, meeting with hospital staff and spending time with young patients.

The Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital, a paediatric wing of the University Hospital of Ghent, is named after the next in line to the Belgian throne. The royal joined her parents at the opening of the wing in 2011 when she was 9.

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This time, as a fully fledged royal, Princess Elisabeth was all smiles, accepting flower gifts and mingling with staff.

Princess Elisabeth is currently studying history and and politics at Oxford University. She is currently on her university's Christmas break.

During this time the young royal is expected to attend a number of engagements.

Princess Elisabeth, the eldest of four children to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, will also join her family for a Christmas reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels.

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In 2013 Princess Elisabeth's father became King, he oversaw the change in primogeniture in 1991 which would allow his eldest child to one day become the first Queen of the nation.

The same change happened in the UK allowing Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Princess Catherine's second child, to take her rightful place in the line of succession.

Princess Elisabeth has joined her university's rowing team and speaks Dutch, French, German and English.

She is expected to complete her university studies and take on full time royal duties at the end of 2024. Princess Elisabeth has also completed military training.