‘A decision was made on my behalf’

More than three years after Queen Margrethe II’s controversial decision to strip four of her grandchildren of their princely titles, Count Nikolai of Monpezat is speaking publicly about the impact it had on his life.

The change officially took effect on January 1, 2023, when the then-Danish monarch announced that the children of her younger son, Prince Joachim, would no longer hold the titles of prince and princess. 

Instead, they became Counts and Countesses of Monpezat, a move that sparked significant debate and strained family relations at the time.

Now, in a new documentary series titled ‘Nikolai,’ the 26-year-old grandson of Queen Margrethe reflects on the consequences of that historic decision and how it reshaped his future.

© Wendell Teodoro

“I will always be a representative of Denmark, the Danish people, and Danish values, no matter where I am or in what context,” Nikolai says in Danish for the cameras.

The four-part series follows the former prince’s life beyond the royal institution, including his successful modeling career and his surprise runway debut in 2018.

It also explores the tensions that emerged following his grandmother’s decision, which remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent Danish royal history.

© Hanna Lassen

“Both my life and the role I once played have changed. A decision was made on my behalf, and that is never pleasant, of course,” Nikolai says. He also describes the move as a form of “exile.”

Despite those feelings, the count says he has tried to focus on the positives. “Like everything in life, I try to make the most of things and see them from a positive perspective. I am now in the process of finding my own path in life, with the role and circumstances that I have,” he explains.

In recent years, Nikolai has largely stepped away from royal duties and focused on building a career of his own. After earning a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration with a specialization in Sales Management, he has balanced professional pursuits with a thriving modeling career.

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The documentary also revisits how he entered the fashion world. According to the series, Bente Lundquist, director of Scoop Models, first noticed the future royal when he was just 10 years old after meeting his mother, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, on a flight.

Even after expressing interest in representing him, Nikolai’s parents, Prince Joachim and Alexandra, were cautious about introducing him to the industry. The documentary reveals that they closely monitored every step of the process.

“His father, Prince Joachim, constantly called because he wanted to make sure boundaries were not crossed,” Lundquist recalls. At the time, Nikolai was still an active member of the Danish royal family, making media attention unavoidable.

© Daniele Venturelli

Extra measures were reportedly taken to protect him and ensure he could attend school and pursue modeling opportunities without constant scrutiny.

The documentary also touches on the broader reasoning behind Queen Margrethe’s decision. The former monarch argued that reducing the number of working royals would allow her grandchildren greater freedom while helping modernize the institution. 

Just over a year later, she abdicated the throne, paving the way for the reign of King Frederik X and a slimmer royal family structure.

© Nina Franova

While Nikolai acknowledges that the change may ultimately provide him with more independence, he admits he never felt limited by his former position. “In the future I will have more freedom, although I never felt restricted before,” he says.

Although Nikolai and his younger brother, Count Felix, now live largely outside the royal spotlight, their connection to the monarchy remains evident. 

© UK Press via Getty Images

Earlier this year, King Frederik X awarded both brothers the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog as part of his 57th birthday honors, a gesture widely viewed as a sign of affection and inclusion within the royal family.

The recognition underscored that, despite the loss of their princely titles, the brothers continue to hold an important place within Denmark’s royal story, one that Nikolai is now sharing in his own words.