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

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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

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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

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Footnotes and references

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