The King of Denmark has unveiled a new royal coat of arms that emphasises the country’s ties to Greenland, after US President-elect Donald Trump recently mooted taking control of the island.
The new coat of arms, approved by King Frederik X in December, places the symbols of the polar bear and ram more prominently than previously, each emblazoned in their own quarter.
“The ram is the symbol of the Faroe Islands and dates back to the 14th century,” the Danish royal house’s official website notes.
“The upright polar bear became Greenland’s symbol in the 1660s.”
Previously, both symbols had been shrunk down to share a quarter with three crowns that not only mimicked Sweden’s national symbol, but represented the Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
From 1397 to 1523, the Union represented the overlordship of the Danish king in regard to all three nations, which were still regarded as separate states.
Greenland and the Faroes were included in the union.
Now, after 500 years, the crowns have disappeared, with the royal household declaring them no longer relevant.
Frederik also sought to emphasise the continuity of Denmark and its overseas territories in his New Year’s speech – the king’s first after his coronation on January 14 last year.
“We are all united and each of us committed for the Kingdom of Denmark. From the Danish minority in South Schleswig – which is even situated outside the Kingdom – and all the way to Greenland,” Frederik said.
“We belong together. Mary and I felt that very clearly when we visited South Schleswig and Greenland and all the places in between.
“We have yet to visit the Faroe Islands, and we are looking forward to going to the North Atlantic next summer.”
The emphasis on the Danish character of Greenland comes after Trump declared the US needed to take control of Greenland – a proposal he initially made in his first term.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” he said in a recent statement.
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Greenland is an autonomous territory that won home rule in 1979 but is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
In response to Trump’s December statement, Prime Minister Múte B Egede said, “Greenland is ours.”
“We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” he said in a statement. “We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.”
