Count Felix all smiles as he celebrates major new milestone after life-changing few years

Count Felix of Monpezat is celebrating a milestone year. As the Danish royal marked his 24th birthday on July 22, the Danish Royal House released a new family portrait showing the smiling count alongside his father, Prince Joachim, stepmother Princess Marie, and younger siblings, Count Henrik and Countess Athena.

The warm family photograph, taken in January 2026, was shared to commemorate Felix’s birthday and comes after one of the most transformative years of his life.

Although no longer a prince, Felix continues to carve out his own identity while remaining an important member of Denmark’s royal family.

From the runway to the boardroom:

One of Felix’s biggest achievements this year was graduating from Copenhagen Business School, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in International Shipping and Trade.

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The demanding program marks a significant shift in direction for the Danish royal, who first attracted international attention as a successful model, landing campaigns with luxury fashion houses including Dior and Burberry.

Rather than continuing in fashion full-time, Felix is now focusing on building a career in the corporate world, reflecting his long-term interest in business and international trade.

© TT News Agency

His educational journey has also been unconventional for a royal. Before university, Felix became one of the first members of the Danish royal family to attend a public high school, Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium. 

He later enrolled at the Royal Danish Military Academy in 2021 before deciding after two months that another career path was a better fit.

A different kind of royal life:

Felix’s life changed significantly in 2023, when Queen Margrethe II streamlined the monarchy and removed the princely titles from Prince Joachim’s four children.

© Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima

Since then, he has officially been known as Count Felix of Monpezat. Despite the title change, Felix remains seventh in the line of succession to the Danish throne, and his relationship with the royal family appears to remain strong.

Earlier this year, King Frederik X reinforced that bond by appointing his nephew a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog, one of Denmark’s highest royal honors.

© Kongehuset

Unlike Denmark’s working royals, Felix lives a relatively private life in Copenhagen and does not receive a state allowance. Instead of carrying out regular royal engagements, he has focused on completing his studies and preparing for his professional career.

Close family ties:

While maintaining a lower public profile, Felix remains close to his family. He frequently joins them for their annual winter ski holidays in Switzerland and spends summers at Château de Cayx, the family’s estate in France.

© DPPA/Sipa USA

He also shares a particularly close bond with his older brother, Count Nikolai. Felix is currently single following the end of his relationship with Chilean-Danish actress Mie Sofia Elers in early 2025.

The newly released birthday portrait offers a glimpse into that close-knit family life, capturing the count smiling alongside his father, Princess Marie, Henrik and Athena as he begins what appears to be an exciting new chapter beyond the traditional expectations of royal life.