Fashion is a popular career path among their majesties, but there’s an archduke who’s tearing up the grand prix circuit and a prince in the Royal Military Academy.
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Mention European royalty, and the British monarchs are the first to come to mind: Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, Prince Harry, and everyone else in line to succeed to the throne.
Unknown to many, there are not-so-prominent yet equally interesting royals in different parts of the region whose pursuits are not confined within the monarchy. Here are a few of them:
Prince Philippos of Greece & Denmark
Though the Greek monarchy was abolished in 1973, the members of its royal family have kept their titles, just like Prince Philippos who would’ve been eight in line to the throne. Since there’s no succession to expect anymore, he lives a relatively private, married life and has forged a path of his own—by earning a degree at the prestigious Georgetown University, and later working as a financial analyst and a hedge fund manager at an alternative investment group in New York.
Archduke Ferdinand Zvonimir von Habsburg
As the eldest son of Karl von Habsburg, head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, Archduke Ferdinand is the heir apparent to the headship. He and his family are direct descendants of Otto von Habsburg, who is the last crown prince of Austria-Hungary. With royal titles being legally abolished in 1918, the 23-year-old’s full focus is not on his royal duties but on his career as a motor racing driver. His most notable feat so far is finishing 4th in the 2017 Macau Grand Prix.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium
Keen on preparing herself to succeed to the throne, the 18-year-old Princess Elisabeth of Belgium has enrolled in the Royal Military Academy to focus on, as People magazine reported, “trying to understand the world better and helping improve it by giving the best of myself” so that “the country can count on me.”
Prince Nikolai of Denmark
One would picture a typical prince charming making his entrance atop a grand staircase at a palace. Real life Denmark prince, Nikolai, however, walks down the fashion runway. The 21-year-old royal, seventh in line to the Danish throne, signed with Scoop Models in 2018, the same agency that launched Cara Delevingne’s career. He made his debut in February of the same year at Burberry’s London Fashion Week show. His most recent runway appearance was at Dior’s early 2020 show in Paris Fashion Week. He is currently a Business Administration and Service Management student at Copenhagen Business School.
Zara Tindall
Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, may not have a royal title just as her parents wished, but she has taken advantage of her normal life to pursue what she loves without the paparazzi or tabloids constantly following or reporting about her. Just like her mother, she is an accomplished equestrian, winning a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick
Also part of the British royalty is Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick. Though he is the grandson of Queen Elizabeth’s cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, as well as Princess Diana’s godson, his duties are not exactly royal in nature. In fact, he has pursued his dreams of being a fashion designer and established FIDIR, a men’s clothing and accessories brand.
Lady Amelia Windsor
The passion of Edward’s sister, Lady Amelia Windsor, seems to be in fashion, too, as she has been making her mark as a model. Signed with Storm Model Management, famous for representing the likes of Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford, Windsor has walked for Dolce & Gabbana, has worked for Chanel, and has been on the cover of multiple magazines including Vogue Japan, Elle Italia, and British Vogue. She has interned at Bulgari at one point, too.
Banner Photo from @mrkimjones on IG
