King Frederik X now sports a new coat of arms for the Danish royal family. This puts more emphasis on Greenland, a territory over which Donald Trump wants the United States to “control”.
A change that is far from just aesthetic. As the new year has just begun, the Danish royal family, in the person of King Frederik X, has decided to review its official coat of arms.
For 500 years, the Danish royal coat of arms had featured three crowns, the symbol of the Union of Kalmar between Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which was controlled by Denmark between 1397 and 1523. But they were removed here “because they are no longer relevant” explains the royal family according to comments reported by the Guardian.
A choice that comes after comments from Donald Trump
Two animals, namely the polar bear and the ram, now occupy a much more important place than before since both have their own place on the coat of arms. The polar bear and the ram each represent here a part of the territory of the Kingdom of Denmark: the first symbolizes Greenland and the second the Faroe Islands. An autonomous territory, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
A very political choice since this decision comes at a time of increased tensions around Greenland and its relations with Denmark, which continues to control its foreign and security policy. In addition, Donald Trump ruled last month that “for national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America believes that ownership and control of Greenland makes it an absolute necessity.”
The government of the immense Arctic island then responded that it was not for sale, echoing its response to similar statements by Trump in 2019.
“Preserve the unity of the kingdom”
In addition, Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen, historian at the Saxo Institute at the University of Copenhagen, believes that this choice is a clear signal from the royal family in a context where Greenlandic calls for independence are increasing.
“When the Greenlanders, and in a certain sense also the Faroese, entertain the idea of obtaining complete independence, the royal house shows that it supports the policy of the state, which is to preserve the unity of the kingdom” , he explained to the Danish daily Berlingske.
Royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen believes that these changes reflect both the king’s personal interest in the Arctic but are also intended to send a message to the international scene.
“It is important that Denmark makes it clear that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish kingdom and that this cannot be discussed,” he told TV2.
The royal family also specifies that these changes were decided after a recommendation named just after the accession to power of Frederik X following the abdication of Margrethe II.
Hugues Garnier Journalist BFMTV
