Fashion has always been one of Nikolai of Denmark's biggest passions. The Count of Monpezat, who lost his princely title three years ago, has even tried his hand at modeling professionally. But he's just as often spotted in the front row at fashion shows, indulging in his favorite pastime and checking out the designers' latest collections, especially at Paris Fashion Week.
He arrived at the Giorgio Armani Privé show, smitten with his girlfriend
© Getty ImagesNikolai of Denmark and his girlfriend, Benedikte Thoustrup, drew stares and camera flashes as they arrived at the Giorgio Armani Privé show in the French capital. Aware that all eyes were on them, they chose outfits that showed just how much fashion means to them: Nikolai paired suit trousers with a blazer, shirt, and tie, all in varying shades of gray, while Benedikte wore wide-leg pants and a V-neck top in blue and green.
The two stopped for photographers and posed together warmly, arms around each other and laughing.
Former prince, count, and model
© Wendell TeodoroJoachim of Denmark's son, now 26, developed an interest in fashion at a young age. He signed with the Danish agency Scoop Models in 2019, kicking off a career that's included ad campaigns, magazine editorials, and runway shows. Since then, he's signed with two more agencies, always on the lookout for new opportunities to make it big in the industry.
Nikolai quickly earned a reputation as Denmark's "fashion prince," though these days, strictly speaking, he's better described as a count of the runway. In January 2023, a rule instituted by Queen Margrethe took effect, stripping Joachim of Denmark's children of their princely titles. Nikolai addressed the decision recently in his documentary Nikolai, saying: "I will always be a representative of Denmark, the Danish people, and Danish values, no matter where I am or in what context."
His love story with Benedikte
© Corbis via Getty ImagesQueen Margrethe's grandson has been with his girlfriend since they were practically teenagers. Benedikte herself told ¡HOLA! how they met: "I spent my childhood in Jutland with my family until I was 15, then I moved to a boarding school, where I met my boyfriend, and now we live together," she said.
"Our story started at boarding school. We were in the same classes. For the first year and a half we were just friends. I always thought he was incredibly funny and admired his intelligence," she added.
Fashion is a passion they share, though that wasn't always the case for Benedikte, and she knows her way around a runway too. She's determined to succeed, and she's putting in the work to get there. Here's how she described her plans back in 2024: "Over the past five years, I've juggled my studies (a bachelor's in business economics and a master's at Copenhagen Business School) with a scholarship position at Maersk, and during college I launched my own brand, BénéSoie, with my grandmother; we make silk scrunchies designed to protect hair from heat styling tools. Right now, I'm looking for new opportunities."
© Getty Images
