transformative years

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

Felix continues to carve out his own identity while remaining an important member of Denmark's royal family.

JULY 23, 2026 2:52 PM EDTJUL 23, 2026, 2:52 PM EDT

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.

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.

Despite stepping away from the spotlight, Count Felix remains closely connected to the Danish royal family as he focuses on his future career.

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.

Count Felix continues to balance royal family traditions with a quieter life in Copenhagen, where he now lives and works toward his next professional chapter.

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.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark arrives with Count Felix of Monpezat and other members of the Danish royal family for High Mass at Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark, on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. (Photo by Mikkel Berg Pedersen / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by MIKKEL BERG PEDERSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) — Count Felix has embraced a quieter life since Queen Margrethe II's 2023 decision to remove his princely title.

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.

Nicholas and Felix of Monpezat, decorated by their uncle, King Frederick of Denmark: a gesture of rapprochement and recognition after they lost their royal titles during the reign of Margaret.

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.

Count Nikolai of Monzepat, Count Felix of Monzepat at a birthday performance at the Old Stage in the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen on the occasion of the 18th birthday of Princess Isabella. (Photo by DPPA/Sipa USA) — He also shares a particularly close bond with his older brother, Count Nikolai.

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.