Princess Mary’s nephew, Count Nikolai of Monzepat, has been spotted out and about in Sydney as he gets ready to spend a semester studying Down Under.
As pictures emerged of the tall, dark-haired 23-year-old grabbing a coffee, the internet went wild, with Danish royal watchers raving over the part-time model’s good looks.
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Nikolai was photographed smiling as he walked along with a male friend, looking stylish in a navy knit, leather jacket and pale brown pants.
“*23 y/o Danish royal family member Count Nikolai flew into Sydney today to start university* Me: immediately joins university,” one fan swooned on Twitter as the pictures began circulating online.
“Omg he’s going to my uni!” exclaimed another fan.
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“Hanging out at the Slip Inn?” one wondered, referring to the pub where Princess Mary met Frederik during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
“Absolutely not terrible looking,” noted another.
Count Nikolai of Monzepat in Sydney. Credit: MEDIA MODE
The young Count has travelled to Australia with his girlfriend, Benedikte Thoustrup, with both studying at University of Technology Sydney until the end of November.
Before arriving in Australia, Nikolai told the Dutch edition of Numero magazine that he was “super-excited” to spend some time Down Under – the furthest he has ever travelled from his home base of Copenhagen.
“The choice fell on Australia because it is very foreign for a Dane like me,” he told the magazine.
“I have never been that far away and I believe seeing that corner of the world takes more than two weeks holiday, so I want to try and move there.”
Count Nikolai in Sydney. Credit: MEDIA MODE
While it’s not known if Nikolai will do any modelling whilst in Australia, he is signed with an agency in Europe and has modelled for the likes of Dior and Burberry.
According to Numero, he signed with London’s Scoop Models in 2018, making his runway debut at a Burberry show during London Fashion Week.
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Nikolai, who is the son of Prince Joachim of Denmark, is seventh in line to the Danish throne.
Joachim is the youngest brother of Princess Mary’s husband Crown Prince Frederik, who is next in line.
Nikolai’s side of the family came under scrutiny when his grandmother, Queen Margrethe, stripped all four of Joachim’s children of their HRH titles at the beginning of this year.
Also losing their Prince and Princess titles were Nikolai’s younger siblings, Felix, 20, Henrik, 13, and Athena, 11.
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They are now Counts or Countesses and must be addressed as His or Her Excellency.
Initially, news of the royal demotion did not go down well with Nikolai or his father Joachim, both of whom issued statements to the Danish magazine Ekstra Bladet criticising the Queen’s decision.
“We are all very sad,” Joachim said in a statement.
“It’s never fun to see your children being harmed.
“They have been put in a situation they do not understand.”
Prince Felix, Princess Marie, Prince Joachim, Princess Athena, Prince Henrik and Prince Nikolai at luncheon on the Royal Yacht Dannebrog. Credit: Mads Claus Rasmussen/AP
Nikolai also spoke to the press about the decision, telling Extra Bladet he was “in shock” about how quickly it had all unfolded.
“My whole family and I are of course very sad,” he said.
“I am very confused as to why it has to happen like this.”
Nikolai modelling for Dior in 2019. Credit: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
He has since begun to build up his Instagram following as he pursues new opportunities in life – including his stint in Australia.
In his most recent post, he shared a carousel of images from his idyllic-looking summer, with the caption: “My last days in Europe”.
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Many Australians popped up in the comments, clearly aware he was heading Down Under.
“Hope you enjoy Sydney! Definitely visit our beaches,” one follower wrote.
“You probably won’t even get the chance to walk down Chinatown, explore the many bubble tea spots, get lost in the night markets etc,” one person added.
“But the weather is relatively warm so it’s a good time to spend here!”
“You should visit Gold Coast, Australia, I think you’d adore it here!” one follower chipped in.
“Wishing you a fantastic adventure Down Under Under,” another fan noted.
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