Royal mottos of Danish monarchs
The use of a royal motto (Danish: valgsprog) is an old tradition among Danish monarchs, dating back at least 500 years. The use of such a motto was a way for a monarch of Denmark to emphasize values or beliefs they held dear. In earlier times, these mottos were often shown on Danish coinage, often in a Latin form.
Before 1839
[edit]| Monarch | Reign | Royal motto (in Danish) | Latin or other version | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian I | 1448–1481 | Dyden viser vejen | VIRTUTI MONSTRANTE VIAM | Virtue leads the way |
| Hans (John) | 1481–1513 | For lov og flok | PRO LEGE ET GREGE | For law and herd |
| Christian II | 1513–1523 | Så var det beskikket | SIC ERAT IN FATIS | Thus it was ordained |
| Frederick I | 1523–1533 | Intet uden Gud | NIHIL SINE NUMINE | Nothing without God |
| Christian III | 1536–1559 | Ske Herrens vilje | SPES MEA SOLUS DEUS Zu Gott mein Trost allein (in German) |
The Lord's will be done |
| Frederick II | 1559–1588 | Mit håb er Gud alene | DEUS REFUGIU ET FIDUSIA MEA Mein Hofnung zu Godt allein (in German) |
My hope is God alone |
| Christian IV | 1588–1648 | Fromhed styrker rigerne | REGNA FIRMAT PIETAS | Piety strengthens the realms[1] |
| Frederick III | 1648–1670 | Herren være mit forsyn | DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT | The Lord will be my guide |
| Christian V | 1670–1699 | Med fromhed og retfærdighed | PIETATE ET IUSTITIA | With piety and justice |
| Frederick IV | 1699–1730 | Herren være min hjælper | DOMINUS MIHI ADIUTOR | The Lord be my helper |
| Christian VI | 1730–1746 | For Gud og folket | DEO ET POPULO | For God and the people |
| Frederick V | 1746–1766 | Med klogskab og standhaftighed | PRUDENTIA ET CONSTANTIA | By prudence and steadfastness |
| Christian VII | 1766–1808 | Fædrelandets kærlighed er min berømmelse |
GLORIA EX AMORE PATRIÆ | The love of the fatherland is my reward |
| Frederick VI | 1808–1839 | Gud og den retfærdige sag | DEO ET JUSTAE CAUSAE | God and the just cause |
Since 1839
[edit]Since the time of Christian VIII, Danish monarchs have only used mottos in the Danish language.
| Monarch | Reign | Royal motto (in Danish) | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian VIII | 1839–1848 | Gud og fædrelandet | God and the fatherland |
| Frederick VII | 1848–1863 | Folkets kærlighed, min styrke | The people's love, my strength |
| Christian IX | 1863–1906 | Med Gud for ære og ret | With God for honour and justice |
| Frederick VIII | 1906–1912 | Herren er min hjælper | The Lord is my helper |
| Christian X | 1912–1947 | Min Gud, mit land, min ære | My God, my country, my honour |
| Frederick IX | 1947–1972 | Med Gud for Danmark | With God for Denmark |
| Margrethe II | 1972–2024 | Guds hjælp, folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke |
God's help, the people's love, Denmark's strength |
| Frederik X | 2024–present | Forbundne, forpligtet, for Kongeriget Danmark |
United, committed, for the Kingdom of Denmark |
See also
[edit]Footnotes and references
[edit]- ^ Frederiksborg Palace Church - History (in Danish)