Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, 20, stuns in royal blue suit as she welcomes Barack Obama to the palace in a rare engagement

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Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has taken time out of her studies to carry out a rare royal engagement as she welcomes a very special guest to her home nation.

The royal, 20, who is studying at Oxford University, hosted former US president Barack Obama this weekend as she joined her father King Philippe in Brussels.

Elisabeth looked stately in a sharp royal blue suit with a wrap jacket and wide-leg trousers as she smiled alongside the ex-president, who was flanked on the other side by the Belgian monarch.

Although the Belgian royals were welcoming a very special guest of honour, it was Elisabeth who appeared to steal the show as fans took to social media to praise her stunning outfit and professionalism.

After the Belgian Royal Palace posted the snap of the three figures on Instagram, the photo was flooded with comments in praise of the future Queen of Belgium.

Royal fans have gone wild for a new photo of Princess Elisabeth, the future Queen, dressed in a sharp blue suit as she welcomes ex-US president Barack Obama to her home nation

'The Crown Princess is looking so awesome in blue,' one person wrote.

Another said: 'Such a beautiful blue outfit for the Princess.'

Many royal fans were thrilled to see their future Queen carrying out royal engagements, considering that she is currently putting her studies first.

'Wow for Princess Elisabeth!' one person wrote, adding: 'The king can be proud of his daughter.'

The Princess's appearance comes after speculation about her love life at Oxford University was quashed amid reports she was dating an 'ordinary' young man.

The future Queen of Belgium has been romantically linked to a 20-year-old student from Manchester after the pair (thought to be pictured) met at Oxford University

Royal fans went wild after seeing Elisabeth carrying out a rare public engagement and wearing a royal blue suit

Belgian media reported last month that the 20-year-old had found love with Nicholas Dodd, 20, from Rochdale.

It was reported that the pair met when Elisabeth began studying history and politics at Lincoln College. 

Mr Dodd reads History at the same college according to Het Laatste Nieuws, a Dutch-language newspaper based in Antwerp, Belgium. 

The local publication, quoting an 'important source', claimed 'ordinary' Nicholas and the Princess had an 'instant connection' after finding themselves in the same study group and developed a relationship that 'transcends friendship'. 

However, the rumours were quashed when Dodd's family said the reports were 'false'.

'They just go to the same college and study together. Just like all his other friends, I can't comment any further,' an unnamed family member told Manchester Evening News. 

When asked about the rumours, the Royal Palace refused to comment, according to French-language, Belgium-based television station RTL. 

'We do not react to rumours concerning the private lives of members of the royal family', a statement apparently read.

Nicholas has been described as an 'intelligent and studious young man', who appeared on the Rochdale Sixth Form College website after being accepted into Oxford University.  

He wrote: 'I applied to Oxford because I wanted the opportunity to study at a world-class university.

Priness Elisabeth smiles and shakes hands with King Charles at an event

Princess Elisabeth , 22, grew up in the royal palace of Brussels, attending royal engagements - she was just nine when she delivered a speech at the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital

Princess Elisabeth in a new portrait released to celebrate her 22nd birthday

'I felt I should apply because there was nothing to lose in trying! It was also worth it because the experience developed my analytical skills so even if my application failed, the skills I learned will still help me now and in approaching my work in the future.

'I would recommend applying to Oxbridge even if you have doubts in yourself. You have nothing to lose and if you dedicate some time to it then it will be a worthwhile experience in itself,' he added.

Born on October 25, 2001, Princess Elisabeth is the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's four children.

When her father became King in 2013, Elisabeth became the heir to the throne and Duchess of Brabant.

Elisabeth began attending royal engagements from a young age and was just nine when she delivered a speech at the opening of the Princess Elisabeth Children's Hospital.

In contrast Nicholas went to Rochdale Sixth Form and during term time lives with his mum in a £300,000 home after losing his dad Andrew to cancer in 2007. 

Princess Elisabeth is the eldest of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium's four children

Like a number of other European royals, including Princess Leonor of Spain and Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, Elisabeth attended Atlantic College in Wales before moving on to Oxford.

Nicknamed 'Hippie Hogwarts', the school curriculum has included unusual activities such as Tai Chi and Tibetan literature. It has a remarkable cliff-top location in a 12th-century castle in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Elisabeth enrolled on a £67,000, two-year course to study for her International Baccalaureate diploma at the school, which she has now completed.

Before her two-year course in Wales, she attended the Dutch-speaking secondary school Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Brussels. The Princess also went to the Yale Young Global Scholars Program at Yale University.

She then completed a one-year course in social and military sciences at the Royal Military Academy which is said to teach in-depth about the four components of Belgian defence: Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical. 

When Elisabeth ascends to the throne after her father, she will make history as she becomes Belgium's first ever Queen

Alongside her training, in October 2021, the Princess began studying History and Politics at Lincoln College, Oxford

Alongside her training, in October 2021, the Princess began studying History and Politics at Lincoln College, Oxford. Here, she rows for Lincoln College Boat Club under the name 'Elisabeth de Saxe-Coburg'.

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 graduates from various universities and made her decision based on what would be most useful to her in her role as queen later in life.

An accomplished 21-year-old by any measure, the official royal website says Elisabeth enjoys walking in nature, reading and playing the piano – although like 'all youngsters her age', writes the palace, 'her taste in music is varied.'