You’ve probably seen the face. High cheekbones, that curly dark hair, and a gaze that looks like it belongs on a Renaissance canvas. But if you call him "Prince," you’re technically a few years behind the curve.
Count Nikolai of Monpezat is currently living the kind of life most 26-year-olds only see in high-budget Netflix dramas. He’s the eldest grandson of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, but these days, he’s more likely to be found on a Sydney beach or a Dior runway than in a palace balcony lineup. It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, the shift from "His Highness" to "His Excellency" wasn't just a paperwork change; it was a cultural earthquake in Scandinavia.
The Title Drama That Shook the Palace
In late 2022, the world watched as a very public family rift played out in the Danish Royal House. Queen Margrethe II made a ruthless, "future-proofing" move. She stripped the princely titles from all four of Prince Joachim’s children.
Nikolai, who had spent 23 years as a Prince of Denmark, suddenly became Count Nikolai of Monpezat.
He didn't hide his feelings. He told the press he was "in shock." It felt fast. It felt confusing. Most people would have retreated into a cocoon of aristocratic bitterness, but Nikolai basically did the opposite. He used the freedom to lean into a life that looks nothing like the traditional royal blueprint.
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Why did the Queen do it?
The official line was about allowing the grandchildren to "shape their own lives." Basically, she didn’t want them shackled to the boring stuff—opening libraries and cutting ribbons—especially since they weren’t going to get a paycheck from the state anyway. Only Prince Christian, the heir to the throne, gets the full royal "salary" (appanage) as an adult. For everyone else, it’s "find a job."
From the Barracks to the Catwalk
Nikolai’s path has always been a bit... unconventional.
- The Military Exit: Like any good royal son, he started at the Royal Danish Army’s Sergeant School in Varde. He lasted two months. He realized it wasn’t him. In a world where royals usually "grin and bear" the uniform, Nikolai just left.
- The Modeling Spark: He signed with Scoop Models in 2018. His debut for Burberry at London Fashion Week was the "shot heard 'round the palace."
- The Dior Connection: Kim Jones, Dior’s artistic director, basically made Nikolai his muse. Opening and closing the Dior Spring/Summer 2019 show was the moment he stopped being "a prince who models" and became a legitimate fashion industry force.
He’s worked with Elite Model World in Paris and Sight Management Studio in Barcelona. But if you ask him, he’ll tell you modeling is just a "job," not a lifelong career. He’s smart like that. He knows the face only gets you so far.
Australia: The New Home Base?
By 2024 and 2025, Nikolai had moved his life half a world away. He headed to Australia for a semester at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He wasn’t alone; his long-term girlfriend, Benedikte Thoustrup, went with him.
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They met at Herlufsholm, a fancy Danish boarding school. Their first date? A gas station. Seriously. That kind of "normalcy" is what seems to drive Nikolai. In Australia, he’s just another guy in a blazer attending Sydney Fashion Week or grabbing coffee in Surry Hills.
As of early 2026, the word is that he’s really vibing with the "laid-back culture" Down Under. While he spent New Year’s 2026 back at his childhood home, Schackenborg Castle in Denmark—suiting up in a bowtie and watching the frost on the car bonnets—he treats Australia like a second home. He’s even been looking into job opportunities there, specifically in the property or business sectors.
The 2026 Career Pivot: Consultant and Actor?
If you thought he was just a pretty face, you missed the memo. Nikolai recently wrapped up a Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School (CBS). He’s officially a cand.merc.
But here’s the kicker: 2026 is the year he officially enters the "real" workforce.
He’s reportedly taking up a position as a consultant for the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI). He’ll be working with data and commercial property. It’s a very "suit and tie" role that balances out the "glamour and flash" of his fashion life.
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And because one career isn't enough, he’s making his acting debut.
He’s appearing in a film adaptation of the Swedish novel Doktor Glas, set to premiere in April 2026. It’s a minor role, sure, but it shows he’s not afraid to experiment.
Why He Actually Matters
Count Nikolai of Monpezat represents a massive shift in how we view modern royalty.
We used to want our royals to be statues—static, perfect, and a bit boring. Nikolai is messy. He’s public about his family’s tensions. He’s been "fired" from being a Prince. He’s lived in Paris and Sydney.
He proves that a title doesn’t define the man. He’s sixth in line for the throne, but he’s also a guy who has to worry about data sets at his consulting job and hitting his marks on a movie set.
What you can learn from Nikolai's trajectory:
- Adaptability is King: When his title was taken, he didn't stop. He pivoted.
- Education as a Safety Net: Even with a global modeling career, he finished his Master's. He knows the "it-boy" window is short.
- Distance creates Perspective: Moving to Australia allowed him to escape the "goldfish bowl" of Copenhagen.
If you’re looking to follow his lead, the move is clear: build a personal brand that exists outside of your "family business." Whether you're a royal or just working for the family firm, having your own identity—and a solid degree to back it up—is the only way to stay relevant when the rules change. Keep an eye on the Doktor Glas premiere this April; it’ll be the first real test of whether his charisma translates to the silver screen as well as it does to the runway.