You’ve probably seen the photos. A tall, blonde young man with chiseled features, looking more like he belongs on a Parisian runway than in a dusty throne room. That’s Count Felix of Denmark. He’s 23 now. But if you haven't been keeping up with the Danish Royal House, you might still know him as Prince Felix. Things changed. Fast.
In early 2023, a massive shift rocked the Danish monarchy. Queen Margrethe II—who has since abdicated the throne to her son, King Frederik X—stripped four of her grandchildren of their princely titles. Felix was one of them. It wasn't a punishment, though it certainly felt like a shock to the system for the family. Overnight, he went from His Highness Prince Felix to His Excellency Count Felix of Monpezat. It's a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? Honestly, the move was designed to let him live a "normal" life, free from the rigid expectations of the Crown.
But what does a "normal" life actually look like for a guy who grew up in palaces? For Felix, it hasn’t been about hiding away. He’s been busy. From brief stints in the military to high-fashion modeling and a serious focus on business school, he’s carving out a blueprint for what a modern, "demoted" royal can actually achieve.
The Title Change That Shook Copenhagen
Let's get into the drama. Because it was drama. When the news broke that the children of Prince Joachim (the King’s younger brother) would lose their titles, the Danish press went wild. Joachim himself was openly hurt. He told reporters his kids were being "mistreated."
Felix, for his part, handled it with a certain level of quiet grace. Or maybe he just wanted to get on with things. By removing the "Prince" title, the Queen effectively removed the royal allowance (the appanage) and the official duties. This sounds like a downgrade, but in 2026, it’s actually a superpower. He can work. He can sign contracts. He can have an opinion.
Think about it. If you’re a Prince, you can’t exactly go out and sign a multi-year deal with a jewelry brand without it becoming a constitutional crisis. As a Count? You're just a very well-connected private citizen. Felix saw the opening and took it.
Dropping Out of the Military: A Surprising Pivot
Every Danish royal male is expected to follow a specific path. High school at Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium (which Felix completed), followed immediately by rigorous military training. Felix started his journey at the Royal Danish Military Academy in Slagelse. He was supposed to stay for two years.
He stayed for two months.
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In October 2021, he walked away. The palace released a brief, clinical statement saying the military life "wasn't for him." That’s a bold move. In a family where military service is basically the family business, saying "no thanks" takes guts. It showed he wasn't interested in just performing a role for the sake of tradition.
Instead of hiding from the press after the "dropout" labels started flying, he pivoted. He didn't sit around the palace playing video games. He started looking toward the private sector. It was the first real sign that Count Felix of Denmark was going to be different from his father or his older brother, Nikolai.
The Fashion World and the "Model Prince" Label
It's impossible to talk about Felix without mentioning his stint in front of the camera. His older brother, Count Nikolai, paved the way by walking for Dior and Burberry. Felix followed suit, but in a more subtle way.
He became the face of the "Reflect" collection for Danish luxury jeweler Georg Jensen. The campaign was sleek. Minimalist. Very Scandinavian. Seeing a member of the royal family—even a titled Count—posing for a commercial brand still feels a bit jarring to traditionalists. But for the younger generation in Denmark, it made him relatable.
- He has the look: High cheekbones and a lean build.
- The brand appeal: He brings instant prestige without the "stuffy" baggage.
- The strategy: Use the family name to build a personal brand that pays the bills.
He’s not just a "nepo baby" in the traditional sense, though. He’s navigating a weird middle ground where he’s famous enough to be followed by paparazzi but private enough to have a LinkedIn profile.
Education and the Future at CBS
While the modeling pays well, it’s not the end goal. Felix enrolled at Copenhagen Business School (CBS). This is a crucial detail. CBS is one of the most prestigious business schools in Europe. It’s not a "party school" for royals; it’s a grind.
He’s studying International Shipping and Trade. Why? Because Denmark is a global powerhouse in shipping (think Maersk). It’s a practical, high-stakes industry. By choosing this major, Felix is signaling that he wants a seat at the table in the business world. He’s setting himself up to be a power player in the Danish economy, rather than just a guest of honor at ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
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He lives in an apartment at Amalienborg for now, but he’s increasingly spending time in the "real" Copenhagen. You might spot him at a local cafe or a gym. He doesn't roll with a massive security detail that shuts down streets. That’s the Danish way. Even the King bikes to work sometimes.
Why People Get Count Felix Wrong
People often assume he’s just a "backup" royal. That’s a mistake. In the old days, the "spare" lived in the shadow of the heir. But the Danish model is changing. By "slimming down" the monarchy, the royals have actually given people like Felix a chance to be successful on their own terms.
There’s a common misconception that he’s estranged from his grandmother, the former Queen, because of the title change. Honestly, that’s mostly tabloid fodder. While the transition was messy—and the family admitted communication could have been better—Felix has been seen at major family events, looking perfectly comfortable. He’s playing the long game. He gets the prestige of the lineage without the suffocating restrictions of the job.
The Lifestyle: Relatable or Royal?
What’s his day-to-day like? It’s a mix. One day he’s in a lecture hall taking notes on global logistics. The next, he’s at a gala for the King’s birthday.
He has a passion for cars, a trait he shares with his father, Prince Joachim. He’s also been linked to various social circles in Copenhagen and abroad, but he keeps his private life remarkably locked down. You won't find him posting "day in my life" TikToks. There’s still a level of royal mystique there, a boundary he refuses to cross. This is what separates him from a standard influencer. He understands that his value lies in his scarcity.
How to Follow the Path of a Modern Royal
Count Felix of Denmark provides a fascinating case study in career pivoting. If you’re looking to apply his "strategy" to your own life—royal or not—here’s what you can actually take away from his trajectory:
1. Don't be afraid to quit the "expected" path.
If the military (or that law degree, or that corporate job) is crushing your soul, leaving isn't always failing. Felix quit the academy because it wasn't a fit. He saved himself years of misery by being honest about his interests early on.
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2. Lean into your unique leverage.
Felix knew his face and name had value. He didn't shy away from modeling; he used it as a bridge. Identify your "unfair advantage" and use it to fund your long-term goals.
3. Prioritize hard skills over fame.
Modeling is temporary. A degree in International Shipping and Trade from a top-tier school is forever. Felix is balancing his "public" persona with a "private" education that will give him actual authority in a board room.
4. Maintain boundaries.
In an age of oversharing, Felix is a ghost. He doesn't have a public Instagram filled with gym selfies. This makes people more interested in him, not less. Privacy is the new luxury.
The story of Count Felix of Denmark isn't a tragedy about a lost title. It’s a story about a young man who was given a "get out of jail free" card from the constraints of the throne and actually decided to do something productive with it. He’s proof that you don't need a crown to be influential. Sometimes, a well-tailored suit and a solid business plan are much more effective.
Keep an eye on the Danish shipping industry in the next five years. You might just see a familiar name on the executive board.
Next Steps for Following the Danish Royals:
- Monitor the official Danish Royal House website (Kongehuset) for updates on Felix's academic completions.
- Research the "Monpezat" lineage to understand the history behind the title he now carries.
- Follow Danish business news outlets like Børsen for any upcoming internships or ventures Felix might take on within the maritime sector.