What Languages Do The Royals Speak?

[Meraude]

As I think most people know that King Frederik speaks 4 languages....Danish, English, French and German.

I would also add "Scandinavian" to those languages, as he uses a more "Swedified" variant in the interviewed with the Swedish journalist in post #983, of his native Danish. The three Scandinavian languages are to a degree mutually understandable, and many of those who live in the border areas tend to be good at "Scandinavian".

 

[aliocha]

According to the information listed on their LinkedIn profiles, Joachim of Belgium speaks French, Dutch and English, and has basic knowledge of Italian. Princess Luisa of Belgium speaks French, Dutch and English, with basic knowledge of Russian and Spanish. Princess Laetitia of Belgium speaks French, Dutch, English, German and Spanish, and also has basic knowledge of Italian. She is planning to take the DELE C1 Spanish language exam in 2026.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

I had no idea about the young Belgian Royals. Very impressive.

 

[tommy100]

Trying to create an overview - please feel free to share corrections or additions.

The Netherlands:
Willem-Alexander: Dutch, English, German, Spanish, French
Máxima: Spanish, English, Dutch, French, (some) German
Amalia: Dutch, Spanish, English, German, (some) Mandarin (and probably also some French)

Belgium:
Philippe: French, Dutch, English, Italian, Spanish, (some) German,
Mathilde: French, English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian
Elisabeth: French, Dutch, English

Luxembourg:
Henri: French, Luxembourgish, German, English
Maria Teresa: Spanish, English, French, Luxembourgish
Guillaume: Luxembourgish, French, German, English, Spanish
Stephanie: French, English, Russian, Luxembourgish, German, (some) Dutch

Denmark:
Frederik: Danish, French, English, German
Mary: English, Danish, (some) French
Christian: Danish, English

Norway:
Harald: Norwegian, English
Sonja: Norwegian, English, French
Haakon: Norwegian, English, German
Mette-Marit: Norwegian, English

Sweden:
Carl-Gustaf: Swedish, English
Silvia: German, Portuguese, English, Spanish, Swedish, French
Victoria: Swedish, English, German, French
Daniel: Swedish, English, French, German (at least he got tutoring sessions in those languages)

Spain:
Felipe: Spanish, English, Catalan, French
Letizia: Spanish, English
Leonor: Spanish, English, (some) Mandarin

United Kingdom:
Charles: English, French, German, Welsh (basic)
Camilla: English, French
William: English, French (basic), Welsh (basic)
Catherine: English

Monaco:
Albert: French, English, German
Charlene: Afrikaans, English, (some) French
Jacques: French, English

Liechtenstein:
Hans-Adam: German, English, French
Alois: German, English, French (?)
Sophie: German, English, French (?)

I think Princess Anne of the UK also speaks French - she certainly uses it for speeches but I think her knowledge goes beyond reading pre-prepared remarks.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Edward VIII spoke German in his interview

 

[Curryong]

I wonder how Edward’s German accent held up? It must have been many years until this interview since he had spoke it conversationally. To me he seems to understand what he is asked quite well but has forgotten some German words/phrases when he replies.

 

[hereditarytitles]

I wonder how Edward’s German accent held up? It must have been many years until this interview since he had spoke it conversationally. To me he seems to understand what he is asked quite well but has forgotten some German words/phrases when he replies.

He used to speak German fluently, which underscored his close connection to German culture and politics before and during the Nazi era.
However, when you don't speak a language you've learned for years, you forget a lot and search for words; you're out of practice, so to speak which I know from personal experience. But his German grammar is still very good after all these years.