Royal mottos of Danish monarchs

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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
Regent Reign Royal motto (in Danish) Latin or other version English translation
Christian II 15131523 Så var det beskikket - Thus it was ordained
Frederick I 15231533 Mit håb er Gud alene - My hope is God alone
Christian III 15361559 Ske Herrens vilje SPES MEA SOLUS DEUS
Zu Gott mein Trost
allein (German)
The Lord's will be done
Frederick II 15591588 Intet uden Gud DEUS REFUGIU ET FIDUSIA MEA
Mein Hofnung zu
Godt allein (German)
Nothing without God
Christian IV 15881648 Fromhed styrker rigerne REGNA FIRMAT PIETAS Piety strengthens the realms[1]
Frederick III 16481670 Herren være mit forsyn DOMINUS PROVIDEBIT The Lord will be my guide
Christian V 16701699 Med fromhed og retfærdighed PIETATE ET IUSTITIA With piety and justice
Frederick IV 16991730 Herren være min hjælper DOMINUS MIHI ADIUTOR The Lord is my aid
Christian VI 17301746 For Gud og folket DEO ET POPULO For God and the people
Frederick V 17461766 Med klogskab og standhaftighed PRUDENTIA ET CONSTANTIA By caution and consistency
Christian VII 17661808 Fædrelandets kærlighed er min berømmelse GLORIA EX AMORE PATRIÆ The love of the fatherland
is my reward


Since the time of Frederick VI, Danish monarchs have only used mottos in the Danish language.
Regent Reign Royal motto (in Danish) English translation
Frederick VI 18081839 Gud og den retfærdige sag God and the just cause
Christian VIII 18391848 Gud og fædrelandet God and the fatherland
Frederick VII 18481863 Folkets kærlighed, min styrke The people's love, my strength
Christian IX 18631906 Med Gud for ære og ret With God for honour and justice
Frederick VIII 19061912 Herren er min hjælper The Lord is my aid
Christian X 19121947 Min Gud, mit land, min ære My God, my country, my honour
Frederick IX 19471972 Med Gud for Danmark With God for Denmark
Margrethe II 1972 Guds hjælp, folkets
kærlighed, Danmarks styrke
God's help, the people's love,
Denmark's strength

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