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Is the head of state of the UK not allowed to speak a foreign language in the UK or abroad?

Question #152045. Asked by chabenao1.
Last updated Apr 14 2025.
Originally posted Apr 11 2025 9:34 PM.

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Dizart star
Answer has 2 votes
Dizart star
22 year member
129 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
Of course they can speak foreign languages, Elizabeth II was fluent in French for starters.

link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3_9BdgMXM

Apr 12 2025, 6:07 AM
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gtho4 star
Answer has 1 vote
gtho4 star
Moderator
25 year member
2416 replies avatar

Answer has 1 vote.
There's no prohibition on the UK head of state speaking in a foreign language, e.g. King Charles III spoke in Italian during his speech to the Italian parliament and at a state banquet on Tue 9th & Wed 10th April 2025.

link https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cx288j4egg2o
There's a transcript/translation here:
link https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2025-04-09/the-king-delivers-an-address-to-the-italian-parliament




Apr 12 2025, 6:18 AM
chabenao1
Answer has 0 votes
chabenao1
12 year member
16 replies

Answer has 0 votes.
So King Charles spoke Italian in Italy. Is he allowed to do so in England?

Apr 12 2025, 11:09 PM
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rossian star
Answer has 8 votes
Currently Best Answer
rossian star
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20 year member
155 replies avatar

Answer has 8 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
I can't find any reference to there being a ban on the monarch speaking in another language in their homeland. Queen Elizabeth used Latin in this speech - '1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an "Annus Horribilis."', which is pretty foreign to many of us.

link https://www.britannica.com/topic/annus-horribilis

The monarch welcomes heads of states from around the world and is likely to speak a few words of the visitor's language out of courtesy.

Response last updated by rossian on Apr 13 2025.
Apr 13 2025, 4:19 AM
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gtho4 star
Answer has 5 votes
gtho4 star
Moderator
25 year member
2416 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.
>> The monarch welcomes heads of states from around the world and is likely to speak a few words of the visitor's language out of courtesy.
e.g.
In July 2012, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed President Francois Hollande to England. She spoke to him in French:
Transcript
0:23 s a pas de jalousie à avir entre la
0:28 franceose ça c'est vrai que c'est très
0:32 troublant connu la sécheresse il y a
0:34 quelqu nous AV et je sais que vous aimez
0:37 beaucoup le cheval donc voilà
0:40 attentionci beaucoup et et pour vous
0:42 nous avons photos voilà comment va votre
0:46 Marie il va très bien
link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZR7pP7wzqQ

Apr 13 2025, 5:16 AM
wellenbrecher star
Answer has 3 votes
wellenbrecher star
20 year member
723 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
George I couldn't even speak English, his language was German. I am sure he did not keep quiet the whole time he was in England.

link https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/parliamentaryauthority/revolution/collections1/parliamentary-collections/parliamentary-collections-georgei/

Apr 14 2025, 12:45 PM
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