Holding court! Queen Mary’s nephew Count Nikolai and his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup sit pretty in coveted front row at Australian Fashion Week after he was stripped of his royal title

By JIMMY BRIGGS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 07:52 BST, 14 May 2025 | Updated: 07:53 BST, 14 May 2025

Count Nikolai of Monpezat reclaimed the spotlight at Australian Fashion Week on Wednesday after being stripped of his royal title.

The 25-year-old budding model held court in the front row at the Aje show alongside his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup at Pier Pavilion in Barangaroo.

Nikolai exuded sophistication in a tan overcoat pair with a crisp white shirt and a stylish patterned tie.

His jet black hair was impeccably styled and he appeared every bit fashionista as he enjoyed the runway show from the best seats in the house.

Meanwhile, his radiant girlfriend Benedikte, 24, stunned in a striking purple strapless frill dress from the label.

The elegant gown hugged her figure before flaring out into a billowing skirt. 

Count Nikolai of Monpezat reclaimed the spotlight at Australian Fashion Week on Wednesday after being stripped of his royal title. Pictured with his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup

The 25-year-old budding model held court in the front row at the Aje show alongside his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup at Pier Pavilion in Barangaroo 

The frill detailing added a touch of playfulness to the chic get-up.

The dress was complemented by a diamond bracelet and gold earrings which shimmered under the lights, while her brunette hair was styled in a neat bun.

Their appearance marks Nikolai’s confident stride into the fashion world, a journey he embarked on last year. 

The couple looked happy as they enjoyed the show from their coveted seats, doing away with previous rumours of a split.

Late last year, the pair were rumoured to have split after Nikolai and Benedikte had not shared to social media any photos of them together for months.

Benedikte, who is the founder of Danish hair beauty company BénéSoie, had posted several glamorous modelling shots to Instagram – and Nikolai was absent from all of them.

However, it was clear all was well as the genetically blessed couple cuddled up at hottest event on the Aussie fashion calendar.  

Nikolai exuded sophistication in a tan overcoat pair with a crisp white shirt and a stylish patterned tie 

Meanwhile, his radiant girlfriend Benedikte, 24, stunned in a striking purple strapless frill dress from the label 

Nikolai’s appearance at Fashion Week comes after tensions had risen between the Danish Royal Family since late 2022, after Queen Margrethe stripped Prince Joachim’s four children – Nikolai, Felix, Henrik and Athena, of their titles.

At the time, Margrethe insisted the move would be ‘good for them in their future.’

She said it would allow the children – who have maintained their positions in the line of succession – to ‘shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties’ that a formal affiliation with the Danish Royal Family involves. 

But Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother’s decision in the days that followed – claiming that his children had been ‘harmed’ in the process. 

Joachim, 55, hit out at her ‘punishment’ and claimed his four kids’ identity was being ‘removed’.

Nikolai has since launched his own Instagram account to promote his modelling career – and has seldom been seen with his cousins and aunt since the announcement.

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Holding court! Queen Mary’s nephew Count Nikolai and his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup sit pretty in coveted front row at Australian Fashion Week after he was stripped of his royal title

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