Count Nikolai of Denmark, who lost his title as prince during royal feud, shares photo of 'sweet memories' with grandmother Queen Margrethe from palace balcony ahead of her abdication

Count Nikolai of Denmark has shared a sweet update ahead of the official abdication of his grandmother, Queen Margrethe, later this week.

The Queen's eldest grandson, 24, whose title Prince was revoked in 2022, shared adorable throwback photos of his grandmother and late grandfather, Prince Henrik of Denmark, with a young Nikolai via Instagram.

Nikolai, who is currently studying in Australia, will not attend his uncle's 'coronation' on Sunday.

Despite a royal feud that saw Nikolai and his siblings all demoted, the dashing model appears to have remained on good terms with his grandmother, uncle and cousins.

Nikolai's cousin, Prince Christian, 18, will become crown prince on Sunday, while his uncle will become king.

This touching image shows the Queen cradling a baby Nikolai while flashing the happiest smile

In one of the moving photos – taken before Prince Henrik's death in 2018 – the Danish royal family is seen joyfully waving away from the palace balcony.

Under the caption 'sweet memories', Nikolai also shared a close-up image of himself as a baby, with the queen holding him tightly in his arms and showing the happiest smile.

In a third photo, a slightly older Nikolai posed center stage between his adoring grandparents, wearing a sharp black blazer with a sky blue shirt.

He beamed as he waved from the palace balcony, clearly happy to be standing between the two monarchs.

The post comes as Queen Margrethe announced her shock abdication last week, informing the nation that she would officially descend from the throne on January 14, marking the abrupt end of a 52-year monarchical legacy.

The royal family, 83, rewrote history again in September 2022, when she removed the titles of prince and princess and “His/Her Highness” from her grandchildren Nikolai, Felix, 21, Henrik, 14, and Athena, 11, who have children of her second son, Prince Joachim.

Queen Margrethe looked dapper in a red jacket and monochrome gown, while her husband Prince Henrik looked dapper in a gray blazer, red and white striped shirt and multi-coloured tie.

The Prince Charming made a sweet nod to his grandmother, perhaps showing faithful solidarity with her in difficult times.

The prince, who recently launched a new Instagram account to promote his modeling career after his grandmother stripped his 'HRH' status, initially said he was sad, shocked and confused by her decision.

It's been a tumultuous year for the Danish royal family after the monarch controversially took the title from Prince Joachim's eldest son, as well as the titles of prince and princess from his younger children Athena, 11, Prince Felix, 20, and Prince Henrik. 13.

They are now Earls and Countess and are called Their Excellencies – and in January last year the Danish Royal Family updated their website to reflect the new status.

The Danish royal family can be seen happily waving from the palace balcony.

Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik and then Prince Nikolai of Denmark attend the 60th anniversary celebrations in Copenhagen. They appear on the balcony of Amalienborg Palace

In her New Year's Eve broadcast, Queen Margrethe II said: 'I have decided that this is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.”

The Queen stressed that this move will be “good for them in their future” and will allow the children – who have retained their position in the line of succession – to “shape their own lives without being limited by the special considerations and duties' that a formal government entails. implies affiliation with the Danish royal family.

Margrethe, famous for her chain smoking and flamboyant sense of style, will step down on January 14 and be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.

After taking the throne in 1972, she became Europe's longest-serving monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

In February she underwent successful back surgery.

It comes following reports that Prince Joachim, Frederik's younger brother, will attend the event solo to support his sibling, according to Hello!. Pictured: Counts Nikolai and Felix, Queen Margrethe, Princess Marie, Countess Athena, Prince Joachim and Count Henrik in April 2022

“The operation obviously gave rise to reflection on the future – whether it was time to pass the responsibility to the next generation,” she said during her New Year's Eve speech.

“I've decided this is the right time. On January 14, 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father, I will step down as Queen of Denmark.

“I leave the throne to my son, Crown Prince Frederik.”

The Danish royal family has been rocked by rumors in recent weeks – after photos emerged of Crown Prince Frederik enjoying a night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova in Madrid in October.

Despite swirling rumors about the alleged 'affair', Crown Prince Frederik, 55, and his Australian-born wife, Crown Princess Mary, 51, made a show of unity as they entered Aarhus Cathedral on Sunday, December 24.

In Denmark, formal power lies with the elected parliament and its government. The monarch is expected to stay above party politics and represent the nation with traditional duties ranging from state visits to national holiday celebrations.

Born in 1940, Margrethe has enjoyed widespread support throughout her life from the Danes, who adore her tactful yet creative personality.