Elite Academics: Notable Personalities and Royals Attending Prestigious Global Universities
You know how it goes sometimes, you think you've got someone all figured out, then they drop a surprise from their past. We're talking about more than just the British Royal Family here, folks. Grab a cuppa and settle in, because we've got a lineup of famous faces who've surprised us with their scholarly sides.
From Europe's royalty to Hollywood's A-listers, these folks might've had entirely different lives if they'd stuck to the paths their early academic days were leading them.
Let's dive in and uncover who these stars are and the prestigious institutions they studied at...
Famous faces who swapped the spotlight for top universities
Kate Middleton and Prince William: Studying side by side at St Andrews University
Ah, the beloved future King and Queen, who met at the University of St Andrews. It's the oldest of Scotland's four ancient universities and, after Oxford and Cambridge, the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Back then, Prince William began with a Master of Arts course before pivoting to geography. Princess Kate was on the art history track.
Meryl Streep: Landing a spot at Yale University's School of Drama
We all know Meryl Streep as one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood, but even before her impressive accomplishments, she had already bagged a spot at one of America's most prestigious Ivy League universities. In 1975, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drama from Yale School of Drama.
King Charles: Making history with a degree from Cambridge University
Prince Charles landed a spot at Cambridge University in 1967, studying Archaeology and Anthropology. He eventually switched to history, earning a 2:2 degree in 1970, making him the first monarch in UK history to achieve a traditional university degree.
Brooke Shields: Swapping controversy for French Literature at Princeton University
With a less-than-traditional childhood that found her starring in controversial films such as Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon, Brooke Shields opted for a more scholarly path. She studied French literature at one of America's top Ivy League colleges, Princeton University.
Despite the unconventional college days, with paparazzi hiding in vents to photograph her and other mishaps, she managed to graduate.
Cindy Crawford: Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University
Can you imagine a 1990s of supermodels without Cindy Crawford? Well, if she'd stuck to the more traditional route of college, that might have been a possibility. Cindy earnt an academic scholarship to study chemical engineering at Northwestern University before dropping out to pursue modelling.
Natalie Portman: Psychology at Harvard University
Natalie Portman had already starred in critically acclaimed movies like Michael Mann's Heat and Star Wars: Episode I and II by the time she was 18. But despite her early achievements, she stepped away from acting for a while and ended up studying psychology at Harvard University.
Lady Louise Windsor: English studies at the University of St Andrews
Continuing the Windsor family's connection with the University of St Andrews, Lady Louise Windsor, the eldest child of Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, has followed in her cousin’s footsteps, studying English at the Scottish university.
Crown Princess Victoria: Political Science and History at Yale University
Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden, studied a part-time degree in Political Science and History at Yale in the late 1990s, spending five semesters at the prestigious Connecticut college. While living and studying in the US, she also gained work experience at the United Nations in New York.
Meghan Markle: Theatre and International Studies at Northwestern University
Before becoming Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle graduated from Northwestern University in 2003 with a bachelor's in theatre and international studies. As a student, she also interned at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires.
Jackie Kennedy: Multiple Ivy League and European institutions
Remembered as an impeccably stylish First Lady who rose above countless tragedies, Jackie Kennedy Onassis lived several lives. But even before she became a style icon and a crucial figure in American politics, she was an educated and accomplished woman, studying at Vassar College in New York, the University of Grenoble in France, and the Sorbonne in Paris.
Lady Gabriella Windsor: Comparative Literature at Brown University
In 2004, Lady Gabriella Windsor, King Charles' cousin and the daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, graduated from Rhode Island's Brown University, where she majored in Comparative Literature.
Nigella Lawson: Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University
The always glamorous queen of the kitchen, Nigella Lawson, chose quite a different path for her academic career. She read Medieval and Modern Languages at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University.
King Edward VIII: Leaving Magdalen College without a degree from Oxford University
The only King to voluntarily abdicate, King Edward VIII, later known as the Duke of Windsor, started his studies at the University of Oxford, spending eight terms at Magdalen College. Despite this, he departed without earning a degree.
Frederik IX, King of Denmark: Political Science at Harvard University
The current Frederik IX, King of Denmark, studied Political Science at Harvard University.
Modern Family's Julie Bowen: Italian Renaissance Studies at Brown University
Famous for her role as the harassed Claire in Modern Family, Julie Bowen's university studies were a far cry from her sitcom days. She studied Italian Renaissance Studies at the prestigious Brown University.
Angela Bassett: Double degrees from Yale University
In the 1980s, while Angela Bassett was studying at Yale University, she earned two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies (1980) and Master of Fine Arts (1983).
King Felipe VI of Spain: Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University
The now King Felipe VI of Spain studied for a Master of Science in Foreign Service degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He shared accommodation with his first cousin, the Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, who was studying the same course.
Mira Sorvino: Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University
Before starring in the likes of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion and her Oscar-winning turn in Mighty Aphrodite, Mira Sorvino graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies in 1989.
Lupita Nyong'o: Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Yale University
Lupita Nyong'o graduated from the Yale School of Drama in 2012 with a master of fine arts in acting. One year later, she landed her breakthrough role in 12 Years a Slave, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie: Different paths from prestigious universities
Princess Beatrice studied at Goldsmiths College in London, graduating with a bachelor's degree in history, while her sister Eugenie graduated with a bachelor's degree in English Literature and History of Art from Newcastle University.
Queen Margrethe: Multiple prestigious institutions worldwide
With stints at the Sorbonne in Paris, studying archaeology at Cambridge University, and political science at Aarhus, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is arguably one of the most academically qualified royal figures.
Prince William's extra-curricular courses: Agricultural management at Cambridge University
Prince William enrolled in a vocational agricultural management course at Cambridge University to prepare for taking over the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, which became his after King Charles succeeded the throne.
Before Friends, Lisa Kudrow debated becoming a doctor
Lisa Kudrow, an Emmy-winning actress, earned a degree in biology from Vassar College in 1985. She was interested in pursuing medicine because of her father's career as a doctor.
Princess Anne's children: Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips
Princess Anne's two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, both studied at the University of Exeter. Before her career in the Olympics and equestrian sports, Zara qualified as a physiotherapist. Peter Phillips was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Sciences before working at Jaguar Racing and later setting up his own company.
Rashida Jones: Philosophy at Harvard University
Rashida Jones, whose parents are actor-musician Quincy Jones and actress-model Peggy Lipton, studied Philosophy at Harvard University.
Mayim Bialik's degree: Neuroscience at UCLA
After earlier roles as a child star in films like Beaches, Mayim Bialik swapped acting for science, completing her undergraduate degree in neuroscience at UCLA and later earning her doctorate in the same field of study. This on-point experience proved invaluable when she later got a second big acting break in The Big Bang Theory, where she played a science genius.
Stockard Channing: Graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University
While infamous for playing Rizzo in Grease, Stockard Channing was actually a highly accomplished student in real life. She graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in 1965 with a degree in history and literature.
Kimmy Schmidt's Ellie Kemper: Field Hockey and English at Princeton University
Actress Ellie Kemper, who starred in the likes of Bridesmaids and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, had an athletic background, having graduated from Princeton in 2002 with a degree in English after beginning her Ivy League career playing field hockey.
The King of Norway: Economics at Balliol College, Oxford University
In 1960, Harald V, King of Norway swapped Scandinavian life for England's historic halls, enrolling in an undergraduate economics course at Balliol College, Oxford University.
Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium: Master's in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School
Crown Princess Elisabeth of Belgium started her master's in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School in September 2024, after earning a history and politics degree from Lincoln College, Oxford University. She also did her International Baccalaureate at UWC Atlantic College in Wales.
Eva Longoria: Masters in Chicano Studies at California State University
Starring in the likes of Desperate Housewives, Ellie Kemper didn't waste any time after graduating. In 2013, she graduated with her Masters in Chicano Studies from California State University, while still filming Desperate Housewives, which ended in 2012.
Italian Renaissance and Modern Television: A match made in heaven for Kate Bowen?
Who knows—with this list of famous faces demonstrating the blend of academic excellence and artistic achievement, perhaps Julie Bowen will take a cue from her Modern Family character and consider a new path as a Renaissance scholar. After all, if it's good enough for Brooke Shields, why not Kate Bowen?
[1] - Royal Central, "Prince Alexander and Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway: School," YouTube, November 19, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZDwgf2gW8o.
[2] - Experts, "Prince Harry's Education by School and University," YouTube, January 24, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgjvhIttdzg.
[3] - Royal Central, "Princess Elisabeth of Belgium and Her Education," YouTube, May 11, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFu4za1a1Ew.
[4] - Ivy Coach, "Kate Beckinsale (Biography)," January 23, 2023, https://www.ivycoach.com/oxford/kate-beckinsale-biography/.
Here are some sentences that delve deeper into the topic of well-known individuals who pursued academic paths:
- Many famous faces have been surprise scholars, demonstrating their one-of-a-kindbalance between creativity and academics, like Kate Middleton, who studied art history, or King Charles, who majored in archaeology and anthropology.
- In the world of Hollywood, even esteemed actresses such as Meryl Streep and Brooke Shields have swapped the spotlight for top universities, showcasing their comprehensive personal growth and passion for learning.
- Fashion icons like Cindy Crawford and Nigella Lawson have walked the runway of education, too, with Crawford studying chemical engineering and Lawson focusing on medieval and modern languages.
- In the family sphere, contenders for the throne like Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Princess Anne's children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, have also excelled in academia, with Zara becoming a physiotherapist and Peter earning a degree in sports sciences.
- Education isn't solely limited to Europe and the United States - figures such as Crown Princess Victoria and King Felipe VI of Spain have pursued degrees at prestigious institutions like Yale University and Georgetown University, demonstrating their dedication to lifelong learning and personal growth.
- Numerous celebrities have not only expanded their knowledge base but have also shown a strong interest in fields outside of entertainment. For example, Lisa Kudrow, Rashida Jones, and Ellie Kemper all studied science, philosophy, and English, respectively, demonstrating that there's more to famous faces than meets the eye.
