Princess Marie of Denmark was filmed sharing an awkward moment with her husband’s ex-wife as they jostled for position at her stepson’s graduation.
Princess Marie, 42, is the second wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, 49, and is thought to enjoy a good relationship with his ex Alexandra, the Countess of Frederiksborg, 53, with whom he has two children.
But the women appeared slightly tense as they posed for photos with Alexandra and Joachim’s eldest son Prince Nikolai, 18, at his high school graduation in Næstved, Denmark, on Wednesday.
Family day out: Prince Nikolai of Denmark, 18, second from left, was joined by his parents, Prince Joachim, right, and Countess Alexandra, left, and stepmother Princess Marie as he graduated from the prestigious Herlufsholm School in in Næstved, Denmark, on Wednesday
Proud mother: Countess Alexandra pictured with sons Prince Nikolai, 18, left, and Felix, 15, right, whom she shares with Prince Joachim. The couple divorced in 2015
Young family: Prince Nikolai pictured as a child with his parents Joachim and Alexandra
It is reminiscent of the clip of the awkward moment between Queen Letizia of Spain and her mother-in-law, Queen Sofia, that emerged earlier this year.
In the clip of Nikolai’s graduation, shared online by Danish news outlet SE og HØR, Marie and Joachim are seen posing with the teenager in the grounds of the prestigious Herlufsholm School.
Princess Marie, who has two children with Joachim, wraps her arm around Nikolai’s back as a photographer asks to take a photo.
Moments later Alexandra can be seen rushing from behind to join the group photo, pulling on Nikolai’s arm as she takes her place on the other side of her son.
Princess Marie releases her stepson and the women share a look before Alexandra whips off her sunglasses and puts her arm around her son.
Family photo: Prince Nikolai put his arm around his stepmother’s back as they posed
Missing out? His mother, Countess Alexandra, seen left, rushed to join in moments later
Tense: The women appeared a little frosty as Alexandra readied herself for a photo
Gracious: Marie quickly composed herself and removed her arm from her stepson’s back
Group shot: Alexandra put her arm around her son’s back and joined the family for a photo
French-born Marie appeared slightly taken aback by the moment but quickly composed herself and smiled for further photos.
Nikolai, who is 7th in line to the throne, signed a modeling contract with Scoop Models in Denmark earlier this year and has already scored career-defining jobs.
Last month, he walked in Burberry designer Christopher Bailey’s last show for the fashion house, joining Cara Delevingne on the catwalk and strutting his stuff before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.
Scoop Models revealed the signing on Instagram on February 26, posting several photos of the teen posing with messy brown hair and pouty lips.
Twice married: Prince Joachim with his first wife Alexandra, left, and second wife Marie
Civil: Alexandra, left, and Marie, right, are understood to enjoy a good relationship
Warm greeting: Prince Joachim looked delighted to see his eldest son at his graduation
Proud father: The father and son appeared to share a joke, much to Marie’s amusement
Handsome couple: Prince Joachim and Princess Marie arrived at the boarding school
School’s out! The royal couple both donned sunglasses for the outdoor event
‘The decision was made a while ago with both his parents’ support and encouragement. He has signed up with Scoop Models Denmark, and they were the agency which proposed Prince Nikolai,’ Scoop Models Agency Director Bente Lundquist told InStyle in a statement.
As 7th in line to the Danish throne, he doesn’t collect an income from the Crown or have a title or land. He also has not been required by his father, Prince Joachim, to perform any official duties.
Nikolai is also the son of Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. The couple had another child together, 15-year-old Prince Felix, before announcing their divorce in 2004 after nine years of marriage.
Bright future: Prince Nikolai, 7th in line to the throne, recently signed as a model
Star turn: Earlier this year the young royal walked for Burberry at London Fashion Week
While is mother remarried in 2007 — to Martin Jørgensen, a cinematographer 13 years her junior — the two also divorced in 2015. Nikolai’s father, Prince Joachim, married Princess Marie in 2008 and had two more children: eight-year-old Henrik and six-year-old Athena.
Nikolai is also the the grandson of Queen Margrethe II. His uncle, Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, is the next in line to the throne.
Frederik, 49, had a bit of a playboy reputation before saying ‘I do’ to Princess Mary in 2004. He dated a string of lingerie models including Malou Aamund and Katja Storkholm, to whom he allegedly proposed.
Now with his own admirers, Nikolai may have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps. Though he just came of age last summer, the teen already has plenty of fans. In fact, he has several Instagram accounts dedicate to him, where admirers call him ‘handsome AF.’