2024-08-24 09:28:57
Published
Noble Language TalentsLeonor speaks eight languages – no royal can match that
Some speak Mandarin, Arabic, or Basque, and surprisingly many speak German. A learning platform examined the language skills of 24 European royals.
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The European royals usually master more than one language.
An analysis shows that Spanish Princess Leonor has the greatest language talent among European royals.
While younger generations are learning Mandarin, many of the older ones speak German.
The Spanish heir to the throne, Leonor, can chat with practically anyone in the world. The 18-year-old princess speaks Arabic, Mandarin, English, French, Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Castellano (Spanish). This makes her outshine all other European royals, as the language learning platform Preply has discovered.
Overall, Preply examined 24 royals and compiled their language skills based on media reports. According to this, Swedish Queen Silvia (80) ranks second among royal language talents. The trained interpreter can communicate in six languages: Swedish, French, Spanish, Portuguese, English, and German.
All the royals speak English, and 42 percent of European royals speak German, including King Charles III. In 2023, the 75-year-old monarch impressed parliament members in Berlin with a speech in the local language. His father, Prince Philip, was of Danish-German nobility.
State visit to Germany: King Charles III demonstrated his German language skills during his appearance in the Bundestag.
APLearning a language out of love
Before the Olympic Games in Australia in 2000, Mary Elizabeth Donaldson (52) probably never dreamed of learning Danish. But then she met Frederik André Henrik Christian (56) at the Slip Inn bar in Sydney and fell in love. Today, they are the King and Queen of Denmark. After more than 20 years, Mary speaks the local language fluently.
Also out of love, Queen Máxima (53) learned Dutch. The Argentine-born queen speaks fluent English in addition to Spanish. South African Charlène learned French for her duties as Princess of Monaco, but speaks Afrikaans and Zulu with her children.
The young ones learn Mandarin
Alongside Leonor, another young royal speaks Mandarin: Dutch Princess Amalia (20). “China Daily” was pleased in 2016 when Amalia announced she would take Mandarin in school.
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Emerging Trends in Language Proficiency among European Royals
The increasing linguistic abilities of European royals, particularly noted in the case of Spain’s Princess Leonor, highlight a significant trend that is anticipated to shape the future of royal engagements and international diplomacy. With the princess speaking eight languages, her example points to a growing emphasis on multilingualism among younger royals. This trend could very well extend to other members of the royal families as globalization intensifies and cultural exchanges become more commonplace.
Standardization of Language Learning
As seen with royalty accessing platforms like Preply for language learning, there is likely going to be a greater reliance on technology for mastering new languages. The popularity of online education has surged, and royals are expected to lead by example, showcasing the importance of adapting to modern learning methods. This shift may inspire wider societal trends, promoting the integration of technology in traditional educational settings for language acquisition.
Cultural Integration and Romance Languages
Royal marriages, often steeped in tradition, are taking an interesting turn as seen in the cases of Queen Mary and Queen Máxima, who learned new languages for love. The emergence of love as a motivating factor for language learning among royals suggests that emotional connections can bridge cultural gaps. This trend could encourage a new generation of royals and citizens alike to embrace learning languages to deepen interpersonal relationships, thus enriching cultural exchanges.
Shifting Language Preferences
The rising prominence of Mandarin among younger royals, alongside a background of more traditional languages such as German and Spanish, indicates a shift in language priorities. As countries like China become increasingly pivotal on the global stage, royal family members might adopt Mandarin into their linguistic repertoire. This could open new avenues for diplomacy, trade, and cultural collaboration, reinforcing the idea that language is not just a communication tool but a gateway to international relations.
Educational Influence of Royals
The visible commitment of royals to learning languages may act as a catalyst for young people across Europe to pursue multilingualism. Their influence could lead to a surge in language education programs in schools, actively encouraging students to explore different cultures through language. Furthermore, royal endorsements of language learning could result in increased funding for language programs, making multilingual education accessible to a broader audience.