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.
| Regent | Reign | Royal motto (in Danish) | Latin or other version | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian II | 1513 – 1523 | Så var det beskikket | - | Thus it was ordained |
| Frederick I | 1523 – 1533 | Mit håb er Gud alene | - | My hope is God alone |
| Christian III | 1536 – 1559 | Ske Herrens vilje | SPES MEA SOLUS DEUS Zu Gott mein Trost allein (German) |
The Lord's will be done |
| Frederick II | 1559 – 1588 | Intet uden Gud | DEUS REFUGIU ET FIDUSIA MEA Mein Hofnung zu Godt allein (German) |
Nothing without God |
| 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 aid |
| 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 |
| Regent | Reign | Royal motto (in Danish) | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick VI | 1808 – 1839 | Gud og den retfærdige sag | God and the just cause |
| 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 aid |
| 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 – | Guds hjælp, folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke |
God's help, the people's love, Denmark's strength |