Denmark changes coat of arms amid Trump's ambitions for Greenland - The Guardian

Less than a year after Frederik X succeeded his mother, Queen Margrethe, who abdicated the throne in early 2023, the new king made a clear statement. He expressed his intention to retain Denmark's autonomous territories and its former colony as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

For the past 500 years, the previous royal coats of arms featured three crowns — a symbol of the Kalmar Union between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, established by Denmark between 1397 and 1523. These crowns were also an important symbol for neighboring Sweden.

However, in the updated version, the crowns were removed. They were replaced with more prominent symbols: a polar bear and a ram. These symbols represent Greenland and the Faroe Islands, respectively.

The new coat of arms of Denmark (photo published by The Guardian with reference to kongehuset.dk)

This move comes amid rising tensions surrounding Greenland and its relationship with Denmark, which continues to control its foreign and security policies.

Additionally, US President Donald Trump, who took office last month, once again expressed his desire for the US to purchase Greenland. The Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte Egede, recently accused Denmark of genocide in response to an investigation into a forced contraception scandal from the 1960s and 1970s. In his New Year's address, Egede intensified calls for Greenland's independence and urged the removal of the "shackles of the colonial era."

The Danish Royal House stated that the coat of arms, used on official documents and seals, with elements dating back to the 12th century, "strengthens the prominence of the commonwealth." Frederik X explained that the three crowns were removed "as it is no longer relevant."

According to him, the changes were made based on recommendations from a committee appointed immediately after his ascension to the throne on January 14, 2024.

In his first New Year's speech last week, the king stated: “We are all united, and each of us committed to the kingdom of Denmark. From the Danish minority in South Schleswig – which is even situated outside the kingdom – and all the way to Greenland. We belong together.”

The Guardian notes that the royal coat of arms has been modified three times since 1819: in 1903, 1948, and 1972.

In 2021, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States had definitively abandoned plans to purchase Greenland.

Trump first expressed interest in buying the island during his first presidential term in 2019. However, with his return to power, the businessman and politician has revived his idea.