Nicolás de Monpezat speaks out about losing his prince title after a royal decree. The move, ordered by Queen Margrethe, reshaped the Danish monarchy and left lasting family tensions.
The Danish royal family remains in the spotlight as Nicolás de Monpezat, formerly Prince Nicolás of Denmark, publicly addresses the impact of losing his royal title. Four years after Queen Margrethe's decision to strip her younger son's children of their princely status, Nicolás shares how the move altered his life and the family's dynamic. The change, effective from January 2023, meant that Nicolás and his siblings became counts of Monpezat, no longer holding the formal obligations or privileges of Danish royalty.
The royal household justified the decision as a way to grant the grandchildren more personal freedom, distancing them from institutional duties. However, the announcement triggered visible discontent within the family. Prince Joachim, father of Nicolás, openly expressed his dissatisfaction, and his children were not consulted before the titles were removed. The resulting rift highlighted the personal cost of modernizing royal structures.
In the new documentary series "Nikolai," produced by Danish public television, cameras follow Nicolás over a year as he adapts to his new reality. He describes the experience as unsettling, noting that decisions made on his behalf left him feeling powerless. Despite this, Nicolás emphasizes his ongoing connection to Denmark and its values, regardless of his official status.
Rather than dwell on the loss, Nicolás has focused on building a career outside the royal sphere. Since 2018, he has become a prominent figure in the Scandinavian fashion industry, appearing in campaigns for international magazines such as Vogue Ukraine, Elle, Numéro, and Euroman. Alongside modeling, he completed a master's degree in Economics and Business Administration, specializing in Sales Management, and recently explored acting with a role in the Danish series "Doctor Glas."
The documentary also reveals how his modeling career began unexpectedly after an agency director noticed his photogenic qualities during a chance encounter with his mother, Alexandra. Throughout his early years, his parents were careful to shield him from excessive media attention, especially while he was still part of the royal family.
This shift in the Danish monarchy reflects a broader trend among European royal houses to reduce the number of active members and concentrate resources. King Frederik X has continued this approach, reinforcing the streamlined model initiated by his mother. The strategy mirrors developments in other royal families, such as the Belgian monarchy, where Princess Elisabeth's evolving role has also drawn public attention to generational change and the redefinition of royal duties.
Over time, Nicolás acknowledges that he can understand some of the reasoning behind the decision, even if he never felt restricted by his former title. He notes that the promise of greater freedom came at the cost of a role he did not choose to relinquish. Recent gestures, such as King Frederik X awarding Nicolás and his brother Félix the Grand Cross of the Order of Dannebrog, suggest efforts toward family reconciliation and recognition of their place within the royal circle, despite the loss of their princely status.
For context, the Danish monarchy is among the oldest in Europe, with a tradition of adapting to societal changes. The move to limit royal titles is part of a wider European pattern, as royal families seek to balance tradition with modern expectations and public scrutiny. The experience of Nicolás de Monpezat illustrates the personal challenges that can arise when centuries-old institutions undergo transformation.
