‘Shocked and sad’: meet the 4 Danish royals who lost their titles – Queen Margrethe’s grandkids Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena are princes and princess no more, and dad Prince Joachim is outraged

Sep 30 , 2022

Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s grandkids Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena are no longer princes and a princess. Photos: Getty

Prince Joachim’s four children – shared with ex-wife Alexandra, the Countess of Frederiksborg and wife Princess Marie – will only have the titles Count and Countess of Monpezat from 2023 onwards

Nikolai and Felix modelled for Dior and Burberry, and Georg Jensen, respectively; their grandmother hopes her move will allow them to lead more normal lives without the restrictions of royal protocol

Queen Margrethe, Europe’s only current reigning queen, threw Denmark into a frenzy when she announced on Wednesday, September 28, that she is stripping the royal titles of her four grandchildren, the children of her youngest son Prince Joachim.

Denmark’s Prince Felix, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik and Prince Nikolai arrive to a luncheon on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog in Copenhagen, Denmark, on September 11. Photo: Reuters

According to various news outlets, a statement from the royal palace read, “As of January 1, 2023, the descendants of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim will only be able to use their titles of Count and Countess of Monpezat, their previous titles of Prince and Princess of Denmark ceasing to exist.”

Queen Margrethe of Denmark arrives to the gala banquet at Christiansborg Palace on September 11, during celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of her accession to the throne. Photo: AFP

While the four royals still keep their places in the line of succession, the monarch’s decision has not gone down well.

So who are the four Danish heirs who went from prince and princess to count and countess, and why were their titles removed?

The first son: Nikolai William Alexander Frederik, 23

Nikolai drew attention for his looks. Photo: @prins.nikolai/Instagram

Firstborn former prince Nikolai William Alexander Frederik, 23, is the oldest son of Prince Joachim and his former wife, Alexandra, the Countess of Frederiksborg.

Nikolai garnered attention for his striking looks and rose in popularity when he debuted as a model for Burberry’s runway in 2018, as per Standard. Since then, he has appeared on many prominent runways, like the Dior Homme autumn/winter 2020 show, walking alongside supermodel and actress Cara Delevingne.

Nikolai walked the runway for Burberry. Photo: @prins.nikolai/Instagram