Prince Nikolai is all grown up in new birthday portraits released by Danish palace

The Danish royal family has released three new portraits of Prince Nikolai to celebrate his birthday and, my, he has grown.

The royal, who turned 20 on August 28, is the eldest son of Prince Joachim and his first wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. 

He's is seventh in-line to the Danish throne and is Princess Mary's nephew.

Three new photos of Prince Nikolai were shared to the Danish royal family's official Instagram page in honour of the occasion.

Recently, Danish media reported the Prince was due to resume his studies at the Copenhagen Business School with a bachelor's degree in HA General Business Economics. His mother, Alexandra, also received a business education.

It's a change in direction for Nikolai who last October dropped out of military training, just two months into the course. Nikolai had begun the two-year course at the Royal Danish Army's Sergeant School but felt a career in the military was not for him.

Perhaps modelling is more Nikolai's style.

The royal has been a regular on the catwalk for the past few years.  In 2018, he signed with modelling agency Scoop Models in Denmark and has walked the catwalk for Burberry and Dior.

At the Burberry AW18 fashion show, fashion legends Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell watched Prince Nikolai's debut from the front row.

The brand said it was "delighted to have Prince Nikolai of Denmark walking in today's runway show, which marks a special moment in time for the brand".

When the palace released Nikolai's birthday portraits in 2018, fans were quick to comment on the prince's good looks, calling him "handsome", "dapper" and even "sexy".