Nikolaos was born during a period of political unrest on October 1, 1969, in Rome. It was a period full of upheavals that shaped the foundations of his life. The second son of the former King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie, Nikolaos grew up in an environment that tried to balance between his royal heritage and the need to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Nikolaos, like the entire royal family, had close ties to the royal family of England; his godfather was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His childhood was divided between several European capitals, with London playing a central role. He attended Hellenic College and UWC in Great Britain and continued his studies at Brown University in New York, earning a degree in International Relations and Economics.

This period shaped him significantly and, seeking his path beyond his royal status, he worked for the US news channel Fox News, using a pseudonym. His secret was revealed a year and a half later when photographs of his brother’s royal wedding appeared on the front pages of newspapers worldwide. “It was wonderful,” he has said, “I was treated like anyone else. I learned a lot, it was one of my favorite jobs. The worst paid job I’ve ever had in my life, but the most rewarding.” His return to Europe marked the beginning of a new phase in his life and he became involved in photography, presenting his work in exhibitions and charity work.