We are so used to seeing members of the royal family with a pen in hand that we sometimes forget to take a closer look.
Because a surprising number of them have an essential common trait with Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Albert Einstein.
And they use their “wrong” hand.
This may be an advantage, as it is claimed that lefties tend to be more analytical, creative and verbal – ideal characteristics for royalty.
Let’s see how they match…
Prince William
Prince William at Manchester Cathedral where he met members of the local community in 2017
William signing a condolence book for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States at the American Consulate in Edinburgh, Scotland, September 2001.
An eight-year-old Prince William signs the visitor’s book at Llandaff Cathedral during his first official engagement on St David’s Day in 1991 in Cardiff, Wales.
Prince William is known to be left-handed and has been spotted signing papers with his left hand on several occasions.
One of the first times the trait became known to royal watchers was when he signed a book on his first day at school at Eton – a tradition all students follow. 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 difficult when playing William’s beloved polo since the mallet can only be held in the right hand, it has never stopped him.
William has even joked about it in the past, stating that “left-handers have better brains” than right-handers.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie signing a book as she opens a new studio for London’s Central School of Ballet, in 2020
The Duchess of Edinburgh tackles a guestbook during a visit to Southwark in June 2004
The mother-of-two signing 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 is frequently pictured using her left hand to sign her name.
Lefties are said to be good problem solvers, approaching 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 was the picture of concentration as she took notes on her first full day at military college.
Princess Leonor of Spain, 17-year-old heiress to the Spanish throne, was recently photographed for the first time at military school as she begins three years of training.
On her first full day of study, Leonor still looked like a military princess, dressed in camouflage clothing and very focused during class – as she took 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 using the spoon in his left hand.
Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo
Infanta Elena of Spain and her husband Jaime de Marichalar attending a dinner at Chateau de Berg 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 Spanish royalty who prefers to use her left hand is the Infanta Elena.
The eldest daughter of King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sofía and third in the Spanish royal line was often spotted using her left hand during royal engagements.
King George VI
King George VI, otherwise known as the Duke of York, pictured at a tennis match in 1922
The awkwardness of the Queen’s late father shone through when he played tennis
King George VI was born left-handed, but he also learned to write with his right hand.
The late queen’s father’s awkwardness shone through when he played tennis and he was frequently seen holding the racket with his left hand.
Prince William may 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 during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London, May 1971, holding her handbag with her left arm
King George VI’s wife, Queen Elizabeth, was also left-handed.
However, the Queen Mother and King George did not pass on their left-handedness to their daughters, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, who are both right-handed.
queen victoria
Queen Victoria (pictured in 1896) appears to be one of the first members of the royal family to be left-handed.
It seems that King George VI inherited his distinctive trait from his left-handed great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Although she was trained to write with her right hand, she continued to paint with her left hand, suggesting that she may have been encouraged to write with her right hand as a child – which was common at the time.
