The princesses and princes are learning Chinese.

The young princes of England, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Thailand have all either studied or are currently studying Chinese.

Prince George is 4 years old this year and started kindergarten in September. In class, in addition to English and math, he also learns Chinese. Photo: Sina.

King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia have two daughters: Princess Leonor, 12, and Sofia, 10. Princess Leonor (in red, left) is the future heir to the throne. To prepare, in addition to military training, she is studying English, ballet, and Chinese at a private school in Madrid. Photo: Hola.

King Felipe once revealed that his two daughters had been studying Chinese for several years, and now Spaniards are enthusiastically learning the language. The number of learners has reached 25,000, with the number of people taking the HSK (Chinese proficiency test) ranking first in Europe for three consecutive years.

In 1996, Belgium successfully amended its Constitution, stipulating that royal women have the same right to inherit the throne as men. Princess Élisabeth, Duchess of Brabant, 16 years old, the eldest daughter of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, is the first in line to the throne. Photo: Pbs.

In addition to being fluent in Dutch and French, two languages ​​widely spoken in Belgium, Princess Élisabeth also had to learn Chinese. Not only could she communicate simply in Chinese, but the princess was also very interested in Chinese calligraphy.

The Dutch royal family. Princess Catharina-Amalia is in the middle. Photo: Hello Magazine.

In July 2016, during a photo session with the press, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands introduced his daughters' studies to the media and announced that Princess Catharina-Amalia would be learning Chinese this year. Queen Maxima added that her 14-year-old daughter really enjoyed learning Chinese.

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand, the third child of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Photo: Muids.

She translated the modern Chinese novel "Her City" into Thai in 2013. She has also translated numerous works of Tang Dynasty poetry, classical literature, modern novels, and essays from China into Thai. In her youth, she studied Chinese at Peking University. In 2008, the King of Thailand began teaching Chinese. The first class had 22 students, all members of the royal family.

In addition to Chinese, she is also fluent in English, French, and Latin.

President Teshome and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a welcoming ceremony in Beijing in 2013. Photo: China Daily.

Besides some royal families, many world leaders have also studied in China. During a visit to China in 2013, Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome revealed that he had studied at Beijing Language and Culture University.

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also studied in China. In a 2008 lecture at Peking University, he famously said in Chinese: "The Chinese have a saying: 'We fear neither heaven nor earth, only Westerners speaking Chinese.'"

In addition, Arabella, the granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, has also been learning Chinese since she was young. She is considered a child diplomat. During his visit to China last week, Mr. Trump showed a video of his granddaughter singing in Chinese for President Xi and his wife.

According to VNE