Prince Nikolai of Denmark beams as he celebrates his 23 birthday with his younger siblings

Model prince Nikolai of Denmark looks dashing in new photographs released to celebrate his 23rd birthday.  

Nikolai, the eldest son of Prince Joachim of Denmark and his first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, celebrated his birthday on Sunday with his siblings. 

The Copenhagen Business School student was snapped beaming alongside his brother Felix, 20, and their half siblings Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, 10, in photographs released on Instagram.

Henrick and Athena are the children Joachim shares with his second wife, Princess Marie, and live with their parents and Felix in Paris but are in Denmark for the holidays. 

Prince Nikolai of Denmark celebrated his 23rd birthday at home with his parents and siblings in Copenhagen. Pictured left with Prince Felxi, 20, Prince Henrick, 13 and Princess Athena, ten 

In the snaps, taken by Princess Marie and Princess Athena, Nikolai, who works as a model oozed effortless charm as he let his hair down with his family

Nikolai with his stepmother Princess Marie, siblings, and father Prince Joachim, on the balcony of Amalienborg palace during the Danish Queen’s 78th Birthday in April 2018

In the snaps, taken by Princess Marie and Princess Athena, Nikolai, who works as a model oozed effortless charm as he let his hair down with his family. 

The royal household released two solo portraits of the Prince taken by his stepmother and his sister, and two group snaps where he can be seen laughing with his younger siblings. 

Nikolai is no stranger to posing for the camera after signing a modelling contract with Scoop Models in Denmark when aged 18, making his runway debut with Cara Delevingne for Burberry. 

Since then, he has charmed the fashion world, racking up runway appearances and magazine covers, including the cover of Vogue Scandinavia back in February, where he discussed growing up in the royal family. 

The dapper prince (pictured in a blue shirt) currently studies in Copenghan while his younger siblings live in Paris with their parents

Nikolai, who has been a model since aged 18, looks very comfortable in the portraits released for his birthday 

Speaking to the magazine, he recalled how his royal life had somewhat prepared him for the catwalk: ‘I’m used to the press and the cameras… to being a public figure all my life.’

Recalling how his family reacted to his decision to model, he said: ‘No one was against it. Of course, I had to explain myself – I’d have to do that with whatever I do.

‘If I had a new job in any industry or when I started at university, I had to explain that to my family as well. Not in a bad way, or anything,’ he added, before explaining that his parents are his ‘biggest fans’.’

At the time of the cover, Vogue Scandinavia editor-in-chief Martina Bonnier described Nikolai’s life as a ‘fairytale come to life.’ 

As seventh in line to the Danish throne, he does not collect an income from the Crown. He also has not been required by his father to perform any official duties.

Princess Marie with Prince Joachim, Prince Felix, Prince Nikolai, Princess Athena and Prince Henrick with Joachim’s first wife’s Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg in 2020

The brooding royal! Nikolai pictured walking the runway for Dior’s pre-fall 2019 collection in Tokyo 

‘He must not be forced into anything. Nikolai’s life must take place entirely after his own plan. I want to help him on my way and try to inspire him,’ Joachim told Billed-Bladet in 2017.

Nikolai, who also has the title Count of Monpezat, made his modelling debut at Burberry’s autumn-winter 2018 show.

He’s walked alongside Cara Delevingne on the runway and strutted his stuff before a front row that included Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Dockery, Naomi Watts, Zendaya, and Idris Elba.

Nikolai’s mother is Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, who divorced Joachim in 2004 after nine years of marriage. The couple have another child together, 19-year-old Prince Felix of Denmark.

Joachim married second wife Princess Marie in 2008 and had two more children, and currently live in Paris where Joachim works a Military Attaché at the Royal Danish Embassy in Paris.