Count Nikolai of Monpezat was boyfriend material at Copenhagen Fashion Week as he supported his long-time model girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup in her element.
Two years after making her runway debut at Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2024, Benedikte returned to the same catwalk on 4 August to model for Danish contemporary womenswear brand MKDT Studio. Her royal boyfriend, who made history in 2018 as the first Danish royal to pursue modelling professionally and walk a major runway, was reportedly there to cheer her on, telling reporters upon his arrival in downtown Copenhagen: "First and foremost, I’m here to support her," as per HELLO!'s sister publication HOLA! USA.
The private couple, who have been dating since 2018 after meeting at Herlufsholm Boarding School as students, returned to fashion week the next day for a joint appearance, looking ever so stylish and smitten in behind-the-scenes photos. Nikolai took to Instagram over the weekend to share a loved-up snap alongside his girlfriend from their rare public outing in the capital city.
© Instagram/ @nikolaitildanmarkQueen Mary's nephew looked dapper in a two-piece taupe suit and paisley patterned tie while he had his arm wrapped around his girlfriend's waist. Benedikte was every inch the effortlessly elegant model in a silky little black dress over a sleeveless white top with her glamorous blonde hair curled to perfection.
"Bits and pieces from cphfw SS27 day III," Nikolai captioned the aesthetic photo album.
Benedikte's runway appearance
Benedikte transformed on the runway in a minimalist look by MKDT Studio with her long golden locks swept back in a low ponytail. The up-and-coming model walked confidently in a white tee with a sheer jacket unzipped over the top, which was paired with fluid cream trousers and a pair of strappy black heels.
Sharing pictures and footage of her on the runway to social media, Benedikte gushed: "Such an honour walking the @mkdtstudio SS27 show one of my favourite Danish brands which I have admired for years. Thank you so much for having me [Caroline Engelgaar, Creative Director of MKDT Studio] and entire MKDT team!!!"
© Getty ImagesAfter making her runway debut in the OpéraSPORT show at Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2024, Benedikte joined her partner Nikolai in Sydney last year for Australian Fashion Week. The couple attended the Carla Zampatti show on 12 May and sat front row at the Aje show two days later.
Nikolai's modelling career
Just like his girlfriend, Nikolai is no stranger to the runway. In 2018, Nikolai signed with Copenhagen’s Scoop Models agency and made his high-fashion catwalk debut at London Fashion Week, walking for Burberry. He's since walked for luxury brands like Dior at Paris Fashion Week.
© Pascal Le Segretain"The opportunity came to me when I was 18 and finishing my secondary school. My agency, Scoop Models in Copenhagen, contacted me and quickly one thing led to another. Before I knew it I found myself on the runways of various European cities," he recalled to Spanish publication El Pais in 2023.
"I consulted with my family before making the final decision to start working as a model. My parents have both always supported me and I suppose they are proud of me and what I do. I have brought them to different shows around the world to let them into my world," he added. Nikolai is the son of Prince Joachim of Denmark and his ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. He is also the nephew of King Frederik X of Denmark and his wife Queen Mary.
