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 to emphasize values or beliefs he / she held dear. In earlier times, these mottos were often shown on Danish coinage, often in a Latin form.

Royal mottos

RegentReignRoyal motto (in Danish)Latin or other versionEnglish translation
Christian I1448 - 1481Dyden viser vejenVIRTUTI MONSTRANTE VIAMVirtue leads the way
Hans1481-1513For lov og flokPRO LEGE ET GREGEFor the law and the people
Christian II1513 – 1523Så var det beskikketSIC ERAT IN FATISThus it was ordained
Frederick I1523 – 1533Intet uden GudNIHIL SINE NUMINENothing without God
Christian III1536 – 1559Ske Herrens viljeSPES MEA SOLUS DEUS
Zu Gott mein Trost
allein (in German)
The Lord's will be done
Frederick II1559 – 1588Mit håb er Gud aleneDEUS REFUGIU ET FIDUSIA MEA
Mein Hofnung zu
Godt allein (in German)
My hope is God alone
Christian IV1588 – 1648Fromhed styrker rigerneREGNA FIRMAT PIETASPiety strengthens the realms[1]
Frederick III1648 – 1670Herren være mit forsynDOMINUS PROVIDEBITThe Lord will be my guide
Christian V1670 – 1699Med fromhed og retfærdighedPIETATE ET IUSTITIAWith piety and justice
Frederick IV1699 – 1730Herren være min hjælperDOMINUS MIHI ADIUTORThe Lord be my aid
Christian VI1730 – 1746For Gud og folketDEO ET POPULOFor God and the people
Frederick V1746 – 1766Med klogskab og standhaftighedPRUDENTIA ET CONSTANTIABy prudence and steadfastness
Christian VII1766 – 1808Fædrelandets kærlighed er min berømmelseGLORIA EX AMORE PATRIÆThe love of the fatherland
is my reward
Frederick VI1808 - 1839Gud og den retfærdige sagDEO ET JUSTAE CAUSAEGod and the just cause

Since the time of Christian VIII, Danish monarchs have only used mottos in the Danish language.

RegentReignRoyal motto (in Danish)English translation
Christian VIII1839 1848Gud og fædrelandetGod and the fatherland
Frederick VII1848 1863Folkets kærlighed, min styrkeThe people's love, my strength
Christian IX1863 1906Med Gud for ære og retWith God for honour and justice
Frederick VIII1906 1912Herren er min hjælperThe Lord is my aid
Christian X1912 1947Min Gud, mit land, min æreMy God, my country, my honour
Frederick IX1947 1972Med Gud for DanmarkWith God for Denmark
Margrethe II1972 Guds hjælp, folkets
kærlighed, Danmarks styrke
God's help, the people's love,
Denmark's strength


References

See also

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