‘Dieu et Mon…Gauche’? Meet the Royal LEFTIES, from William all the way back to Queen Victoria!
We’re so used to seeing senior royals with a pen in their hand that we sometimes forget to look closely.
Because a surprising number of them have an important trait in common with Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Albert Einstein.
And they use their ‘wrong’ hand.
Perhaps it’s an advantage because left-handed people are said to be more analytical, creative, and verbally adept—ideal traits for royalty.
Let’s see how they fit together…
prince william
Prince William at Manchester Cathedral, where he met members of the local community in 2017
William signing a book of condolence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States at the US Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, in September 2001
An eight-year-old Prince William signs the visitor’s book at Llandaff Cathedral on his first official engagement, on St David’s Day, 1991 in Cardiff, Wales
Prince William is known as a southpaw and has been spotted signing papers with his left hand on several occasions.
One of the first times this trait became known to royal guards was when he signed a book on his first day of school at Eton – a tradition followed by all students. He was pictured alongside his parents, King Charles and the late Princess Diana, alongside his younger brother Prince Harry.
But while being left-handed can prove tricky when playing William’s beloved polo, as the mallet should only be held in the right hand, that has never stopped him.
William has even joked about it in the past, stating that “left-handers have better brains” than right-handers.
Sophia, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie signs a book as she opens a new studio for the Central School of Ballet, London in 2020
The Duchess of Edinburgh tackles a visitor’s book during a visit to Southwark in June 2004
The mother of two signed a book with her left hand for The National Literacy Trust at St Ethelbert’s Catholic Primary School, Slough, in 2006
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is another left-handed royal.
Prince Edward’s wife and mother of two are often photographed signing her name with her left hand.
It is said that left-handed people are good problem solvers who handle difficult situations with ease, persistence and creative solutions.
Princess Leonor of Spain
Princess Leonor on her first day in uniform at the General Military Academy on her first day in uniform on August 18
Leonor’s face glowed with concentration as she took notes on her first full day at military college
Princess Leonor of Spain, the 17-year-old heir to the Spanish throne, was recently photographed for the first time in military school as she began a three-year course.
On her first full day of study, Leonor always looked like the military princess, dressed in camouflage and concentrated during lessons – taking notes with her left hand.
On the occasion of King Felipe’s 50th birthday in 2018, a video released by the Spanish royal family showed Leonor eating soup while using the spoon in her left hand.
Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo
Infanta Elena of Spain and her husband Jaime de Marichalar attending a dinner at Berg Castle in Luxembourg in July 2006
Elena of Spain with her husband after the wedding of her brother, the Crown Prince, in 2004
Another member of the Spanish royal family who prefers to use her left hand is Infanta Elena.
The eldest daughter of King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sofía and third in the Spanish royal line of succession, she is often seen holding her left hand during royal engagements.
King George VI
King George VI, also known as the Duke of York, pictured during a tennis match in 1922
The late Queen Father’s left-handedness was clearly displayed while playing tennis
King George VI was born left-handed, but he was also trained to write with his right hand.
The late Queen Father’s left-handedness was clearly displayed while playing tennis and he was often seen holding the racket with his left hand.
Prince William could have inherited the left-handed gene from his great-grandfather and former King George, or perhaps from his wife…
The Queen Mother
The Queen Mother visiting the Chelsea Flower Show in London, May 1971, holding her purse in her left arm
King George VI’s wife, Queen Elizabeth, was another southpaw.
However, the Queen Mother and King George did not pass on their left-handedness to their daughters, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, who were both right-handed.
Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria (pictured in 1896) appears to have been one of the first members of the royal family to be left-handed
It seems that King George VI inherited his signature trait from his great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who was also left-handed.
Although she was trained to write with her right hand, she continued to paint with her left hand, suggesting that as a child she may have been encouraged to write with her right hand – which was common at the time.