Kiwi lifeguard speaks about royal rescue

Prince Christian and his saviour Nick Malcolm. Photos / Getty Images and Facebook

The lifeguard who plucked a Danish prince from a dangerous Gold Coast rip has broken his silence about the royal rescue.

Nick Malcolm said saving 10-year-old Prince Christian from the surf at Mermaid Beach was all in a day's work.

"He was in between the flags in the deep part before the break and just got swept off his feet," Mr Malcolm told News Corp.

"He was a really good swimmer - it helped that he didn't panic.

Nick Malcom has kept pretty quiet about his heroics. Photo / Supplied

"It was just a standard rescue - doesn't matter that he's a royal."

Crown Prince Frederik was supervising his eldest child swimming between the flags when the drama occurred.

Mr Malcolm said he didn't realise who he had rescued until after the royal family had left the beach.

His lifesaving efforts received a royal thank-you and made headlines around the world.

Prince Christian with his family. Photo / Getty Images

The media-shy lifeguard avoided the cameras on Monday, overwhelmed by the attention he had been getting for simply doing his job.

Gold Coast chief lifeguard Warren Young said Mr Malcolm was taken aback by the limelight given he was doing the job he does every day.

Mr Young also praised the Danish royals for swimming between the flags and supervising their children in the surf.

It's understood the royals will spend Christmas with Princess Mary's relatives in Tasmania before returning to Denmark.

- AAP