The King of Denmark has changed his royal coat of arms to make Greenland and the Faroe Islands more prominent. Denmark’s previous royal coat of arms featured three crowns for 500 years. The updated version has removed the crowns and replaced them with a more prominent polar bear and ram, symbolizing Greenland and the Faroe Islands respectively. The move has also been seen as a criticism of Donald Trump
The King of Denmark has surprised some historians by changing his royal coat of arms to make Greenland and the Faroe Islands more prominent. The move was also seen as a criticism of Donald Trump. Less than a year after he ascended to the throne following the abdication of his mother Queen Margrethe on New Year’s Eve 2023, King Frederik has made clear his intention to keep the autonomous Danish territory and former colony within the Danish crown.
THE THREE CROWNS HAVE FEATURED FOR 500 YEARS Denmark’s previous royal coat of arms has featured three crowns for 500 years. It is the symbol of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which was ruled from Denmark from 1397 to 1523 and is also a prominent symbol of neighbouring Sweden. However, the updated version has removed the crowns and replaced them with a more prominent polar bear and ram, representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands respectively. The move comes amid growing tensions over Greenland’s relations with Denmark, which continues to control its foreign and security policy.
WHY WAS THE COAT CHANGED? The royal dynasty said the coat of arms, which is used on official documents and seals and whose elements date back to the 12th century, “reinforces the importance of unity.” It said the three crowns were removed because they were “no longer valid.” It was stated that the changes were made on the recommendation of a committee appointed immediately after he took office on January 14, 2024. The royal coat of arms has been changed three times since 1819, in 1903, 1948 and 1972. However, the latest changes have shocked some circles.
TRUMP WANTS GREENLAND Last month, US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated that he wanted the US to buy Greenland. Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, recently accused Denmark of genocide in response to investigations into a forced birth control scandal in the 1960s and 1970s. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is expected to visit Greenland on Tuesday, a local government official told Reuters, adding that the visit was private and would not meet with local officials. Trump later confirmed the trip in a social media post, saying: “Greenland is an incredible place and if it becomes part of our nation, people will benefit tremendously. We will protect it from a very violent outside world and we will cherish it. Let’s make Greenland great again!”
