Danish royal family member, Count Nikolai of Denmark is currently living in Sydney for a semester of exchange at the University of Technology Sydney, alongside his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup
The lovebirds are both currently studying for degrees at the Copenhagen Business School and have already spent a semester on exchange in Paris.
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In an exclusive first Australian interview with The Daily Telegraph, Nikolai discussed the Aussie survival guide that his aunt Princess Mary gave to him (AKA the wife to Prince Frederik, who is set to inherit the Danish throne.)
When pushed on what was in this survival guide, he revealed: “I would say clap your boots before putting them on, flush the toilet before you use it. I do not (want a snake or spider!).”
Just the venomous ones are all you’ll have to be worried about Nik!
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Earlier this year, Nikolai’s family made headlines after his grandmother, Margrethe II of Denmark, stripped him and his siblings of their royal titles in an effort to slim down the monarchy.
The Queen made the decision so her youngest sons’ children would be “able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent” than if they were burdened by royal life and the limitations royal titles can bring.
When 9Honey asked whether he is hurt by the decision, “I think it’s just a bit weird still, I still have to get used to it… I’ve never felt limited before.”
As he eats a brekkie burger with an iced coffee like a true-blue Aussie at brunch, he discusses whether he forgets he isn’t a prince anymore:
“Oh no, no, no not at all. And in fact, I didn’t do that before any of this anyway. I’ve always been Nikolai. And actually, my alias, I’ve always used my mother’s title, or surname, Frederiksborg, I’ve always taken that on me.”
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The next Aussie stop for the Count Nikolai of Monpezat? The Danish designed Sydney Opera House of course! “That is on the bucket list.”
And even Wagga Wagga in rural NSW of all places (we can say that as a local,) to visit the sheep farm where his father Prince Joachim worked during his gap year in the 1980s!
“He’s told me plenty of stories about it, it’s fun to listen when he reminisces about his time in Australia.”
Nikolai has celebrated his 24th birthday with a trip to Byron Bay with his girlfriend Benedikte and some newfound Aussie friends.
Taking to his Instagram account, Nikolai shared some snaps from his birthday, which depicted him and his friends on the beach, surfing, enjoying some epic sunset views, and of course some drinking.
It is unclear how Nikolai and Benedikte met those they holidayed with, but given they are Sydney siders themselves we can assume it was at university.
Also in the snaps was a cheeky photo of Nikolai being gifted a muffin ‘cake’ with candles in it, as well as a white shirt with a map of Australia printed on it filled with vegemite bottles – how thoughtful!
Just over a week prior, Nikolai and Benedikte were able to fly under the radar at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, unlike fellow European royalty Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter Sofia.
Taking to their respective Instagram stories prior to kickoff, both Nikolai and Benedikte shared images of the pre-match pyrotechnics.
Benedikte also shared an image from outside the stadium, the pair joining the sell-out crowd to capture a photo of an illuminated ‘SYDNEY’ in lights, below a football.
This isn’t the first match the pair have attended in person, also making a sneaky appearance under the radar when the Matildas played Denmark (and won).
Speaking with Dutch publication Numéro prior to his departure, Nikolai revealed he would be studying a range of “elective courses” related to his business degree and was “super excited” to be making the move down under.
“It is an adventure I am stoked to begin and super excited to live abroad again,” he said.
“The choice fell on Australia because it is very foreign for a Dane like me.”
“I have never been that far away and I believe seeing that corner of the world takes more than two weeks’ holiday, hence I want to try and move there.”
The news of the upcoming move was confirmed to Danish publication B.T. by royal press advisor Helle von Wildenrath Løgreen in June 2022, who revealed that both Nikolai and Benedikte were “excited” to experience Australia.
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They arrived in Sydney in early August and are expected to remain in Australia until late November, or early December.
According to B.T. Count Nikolai had heard “many exciting stories” about Australia from his father, who as a 17-year-old, spent six months living and working on a farm in Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
Speaking of his time in the country to Danish students at a Youth Goodwill Conference in 2013, Prince Joachim said that living in Australia had changed his outlook on life.
“That whole process of jumping out of your protected shell is important, whether it is during your academic studies or collecting work experience, it opens your mind and broadens your horizon, physically and also in spiritual terms,” Prince Joachim said.
“You have to let go of a lot of things that you thought were given. You have to adapt to a new environment, and once you return to your home, you will benefit from these experiences.”
Currently, Nikolai is seventh in line to the Danish throne, despite being Queen Margrethe’s oldest grandchild.
His grandmother recently became Europe’s longest-serving head of state, and the world’s longest-serving female monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
He is the eldest son of Prince Joachim and his first wife, Alexandra, the Countess of Frederiksborg, and is the older brother to 20-year-old Count Felix of Monpezat as well as half-siblings Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10.
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