A royal role model? Princess Elisabeth, 18, has brought the 'Kate effect' to Belgium, experts reveal - and already shares the Duchess of Cambridge's polished style and dedication to her duty

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Little-known Princess Elisabeth may not be as famous as the Duchess of Cambridge, but the daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde is bringing the 'Kate effect' to brands in Brussels. 

The 18-year-old, who is currently finishing the final term of her boarding school UWC Atlantic College in South Wales online, announced this week she would be attending military school in Brussels in September.

And when photos of Princess Elisabeth jogging through a field near her home in Brussels were shared online, royal fans rushed to get their hands on her Liebaert Textiles leggings, with the company reporting orders had doubled for the sportswear overnight.

The frenzy to buy the same item as the low-key royal is similar to the sell-out impact on brands often sparked by Kate Middleton, 38, known as 'the Kate effect'. 

And now Stylist Susie Hasler, who runs Styled By Susie, has revealed to FEMAIL how their ability to sell-out items of clothing is just one of many similarities between the two women. 

 Sell-out style

Princess Elisabeth, 18, (left) shares many similarities with the Duchess of Cambridge, 38 (right). In a move which was similar to the Kate effect, royal fans rushed to get their hands on her Liebaert Textiles leggings, with the company reporting orders had doubled for the sportswear overnight

While she may still be a teenager, Princess Elisabeth is already proving her style credentials. 

Liebaert Textiles reported orders for their clothing doubled after photographs of the royal jogging in their leggings hit the internet.

The brand were forced to increase staff demands to meet the overwhelming interest.

Camille Lieaert, the designer behind the brand, told The Brussels Times: 'I woke up at 7 am on Wednesday morning and immediately had a few messages from people who had forwarded the front page of a number of newspapers. 

'Everyone was very enthusiastic. I didn’t really realise the impact at the time, but at the end of the day couldn’t get over it. It was all very overwhelming.'

Meanwhile Kate Middleton is known for her sell-out styles, with fans rushing to get their hands on her outfits as soon as she's spotted in the clothing.    

Chic, classic style 

Despite her young age, Princess Elisabeth is already proving to be a hit in the style stakes, with a similar chic and classic style to Kate

Kate is known for her stunning and classic style, as well as an ability to mix trendy high street pieces with chic designer items. 

The mother-of-three is also often praised for her ability to re-wear and recycle clothing.

Meanwhile the teenage Princess Elisabeth appears to have adopted many of the same principles with her own style.

For her 18th birthday celebration, the youngster was honoured with a televised celebration at the opulent Royal Palace, complete with ballet dancers, royal speakers - and a performance by a former Eurovision star. 

The royal wore a trendy white blazer dress for the outing, which appeared remarkably similar to a dress worn by Kate during her tour of Poland in 2017. 

Susie revealed: 'They both favour a simple, chic, yet feminine style.

'We have seen this develop with Kate over the years, into the look she wears today. She is formal, but not stuffy. She's conservative but approachable. And each of these is apparent in her outfit choices. Overall, she's very elegant - as is Princess Elisabeth.'

The stylist added: 'The two women both have slender figures, too, and choose styles that flatter, without making the outfit the talking point.

'Princess Elisabeth wears the Duchess' staple nude heels with many of her outfits and she likes to add pops of colour, while keeping the overall look, simple, tailored and feminine.'

Dedication to royal duty  during lockdown

Like the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Elisabeth has remained dedicated to royal duty throughout the pandemic, balancing her schoolwork alongside her volunteering work (pictured left, phoning elderly people in the community) 

The princess is now legally old enough to rule without a substitute regent being appointed. 

When Elisabeth ascends the throne she will be the first ever Queen of Belgium by birth. 

The talented 18-year-old, who is heir to the throne of Belgium, will follow in her father's footsteps by enrolling at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, where she will learn about military and social affairs that will help her prepare for her future role as Queen.  

Elisabeth has been studying at UWC Atlantic College in Wales and is set to join the army in a move which has hit the headlines in her homeland.

Like students across the country, the royal has been forced to finish her studies remotely and will not return to the school. She has spent the last two months living with her parents, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, and her three siblings in Brussels.

But it's not just schoolwork she has been studying during lockdown.  

While in isolation at Laeken Palace, Elizabeth and her siblings Prince Gabriel, 16, Prince Emmanuel, 14 and Princess Eleonore, 12, have spent time volunteering. 

They showed their support for Belgium's elderly population by calling retirement homes and delivering baked goods.  

And it's not just Princess Elisabeth who has been juggling royal duty with her other responsibilities.

While in lockdown, the Duchess has been balancing motherhood and homeschooling, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two,  with royal duty.  

Welsh boarding school dubbed 'hippie Hogwarts'

Princess Elisabeth of Belgium enrolled at UWC Atlantic College in South Wales, a top private college dubbed 'hippie Hogwarts', at the start of the 2018-2019 academic year.

Her home is the crumbling, 12th century St Donat's Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan where she studies the International Baccalaureate. 

According to reports students are encouraged to avoid 'excessive displays of wealth' by mingling with people from all walks of life while the use of expensive gadgets such as laptops is discouraged. 

Alumni include Dutch king Willem-Alexander and Princess Raiyah of Jordan, but students are just as likely to rub shoulders with 'refugees from west Africa' and 'California hippies,' according to an article published in The Times last year.

United World College of the Atlantic is located in the 12th century St Donat's Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, pictured in file image. Some 350 students study at the school outside Cardiff - including Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium

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