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Royals who are left-handed: from Prince William to Prince George

There are a handful of royals who write with their left hand


left handed royals
Gemma Strong
Online Digital News Director
Updated: On 22 February 2024
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Although writing with your right hand is more common, it's thought that between ten and 12 per cent of the world's population are left-handed – including a number of prominent leaders, such as former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Over in the UK, famous wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill was left-handed, as is David Cameron. But what about the monarchy? 

It's no secret that Prince William is on the list of those who use their left hand, along with his son Prince George. Here at HELLO!, we take a look at the members of the royal family who are left-handed… 

WATCH: Cheeky young British royals

Prince William

Prince William signing in on his first day at Eton© Anwar Hussein
Prince William signs in on his first day at Eton College

Britain's future king Prince William is famously a leftie, and has been seen on a number of occasions signing guest books using his left hand. He has even joked in the past about it, stating that "left-handers have better brains" than right-handers. 

One of the first times his trait became public knowledge was when he signed a book on his first day of school at Eton, where he was photographed alongside parents King Charles and Princess Diana and younger brother Prince Harry.

Countess of Wessex

sophie wessex signing
Duchess Sophie signs with her left hand

Sophie Wessex is another famous left-hander. The wife of Prince Edward is frequently photographed using her left hand to sign her name.

MORE: What the Countess of Wessex is really like to work with – according to her inner circle

King George VI

king george tennis© Photo: Getty Images
King George VI was said to be naturally left-handed

It's highly likely that Prince William inherited the left-handed gene from his great-grandfather, George VI. The Queen's father was said to be naturally left-handed; although he would write with his right hand, he was frequently seen playing tennis with his left hand, such as in this snapshot.

The Queen Mother 

The Queen Mother was thought to be left-handed© Michael Stroud
The Queen Mother was thought to be left-handed

King George VI's wife, Queen Elizabeth, is thought to also thought to be a left-hander like him. However, the late royals did not pass their left-handedness on to their daughters Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret.

Queen Victoria

queen victoria
Queen Victoria was also a leftie

King George VI, meanwhile, seems to have inherited the distinctive trait from his great-grandmother, Queen Victoria! The monarch was often seen writing with her right hand, but would paint with her left hand, suggesting she may have been encouraged to write with the right instead – something that was common practice at the time.

Prince George

Prince George of Wales attends The "Together At Christmas" Carol Service © Samir Hussein
Prince George is thought to be left-handed

It has been widely reported that Prince George is left-handed. But in some photos, William and Kate's eldest child seems to have a dominant right hand. While attending the polo in June 2019, he was pictured swinging a mallet with his right hand, and famously used the same hand to stir the Christmas pudding mixture in December 2019, along with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.

MORE: When will Prince George undertake his first solo engagement?

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