If a picture is worth a thousand words, then King Frederik X of Denmark’s decision to change his royal coat of arms sends a powerful message to his fellow citizens, the inhabitants of Greenland, and especially to President-elect Donald Trump. In response to Trump’s expressed desire for the U.S. to take control of Greenland, the Danish monarch has redesigned his royal coat of arms to give greater prominence to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
A coat of arms with a message. King Frederik X ascended to the throne almost a year ago, on Jan. 14, 2024, after the abdication of his mother, Margrethe II. On the eve of his first anniversary, he made a historic decision. On Dec. 20, he promulgated a new royal coat of arms, altering the design that had been in place since 1972. While the changes may be subtle and possibly overlooked by those less attentive, they carry a clear, intentional message.
The new coat of arms of the Kingdom of Denmark features a ram and a polar bear.
A powerful polar bear. Among several modifications, the updated royal coat of arms has removed the three crowns that symbolized the old Kalmar Union, which consisted of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Instead, it places greater emphasis on the polar bear and the ram. While this change may seem minor, coats of arms are known for their symbolic significance. Every element carries meaning and conveys a message.
Since the mid-17th century, the crowns have withstood centuries of change, wars, and Denmark’s losses. Experts point out that removing them is a significant gesture. However, the most notable change is the importance given to the ram and the polar bear. The polar bear was present in the previous design but appeared smaller and less prominent.
The ram symbolizes the Faroe Islands, a North Atlantic archipelago that’s part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Meanwhile, the polar bear represents Greenland, an autonomous territory with a long historical and political connection to Copenhagen. This connection has evolved over the centuries, particularly during the 20th century, but Denmark still retains certain foreign policy and defense responsibilities over the island.
In the previous design, the symbols of Greenland and the Faroe Islands were less prominent.
Why this matters. The recent decision is significant for several reasons. First, Denmark doesn’t frequently change its royal coat of arms. Since 1819, it’s been altered only three times: in 1903, 1948, and 1972. The last two changes occurred around the time Frederik X’s grandfather and mother ascended to the throne.
More importantly, the Danish monarch has chosen to present the updated design in a complicated diplomatic context, where the sovereignty of Greenland has gained special attention.
Recently, Trump made waves in Danish politics by suggesting that the U.S. should take control of Greenland. In a recent statement, he said, “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.” This came alongside his announcement of the appointment of diplomat Ken Howery as the ambassador to Denmark.
Focus on Greenland. Trump’s interest in Greenland isn’t an isolated instance. He recently also expressed a desire to control other foreign assets, including the Panama Canal and the possibility of Canada joining the U.S.
However, his comments about Greenland have sparked particular controversy. This isn’t the first time he’s brought it up. In 2019, Trump canceled a visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen refused to discuss the potential sale of Greenland.
The aftermath. Trump’s remarks have already sparked reactions. Danish authorities have shown their commitment to enhancing Greenland’s security with an investment of $1.5 billion. Moreover, Greenland Premier Múte Egede recently expressed his belief that the self-governing territory should pursue independence from Denmark.
In his New Year’s speech, Egede said, “The history and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality.” Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to declare independence via a referendum. Some experts believe this scenario is more likely than Denmark transferring the island to the U.S. without the consent of its inhabitants.
Greenland isn’t just an island. Trump’s recent actions have brought international attention to the island’s status. While Greenland authorities have said that it’s not for sale, and Denmark has responded by increasing its defense investments, Trump’s comments have initiated broader discussions about Greenland’s future.
This is evident in the anticipation surrounding the visit of the president-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr., to the Arctic island. In this context, King Frederik X’s decision to update his coat of arms to highlight the ram and especially the polar bear signifies deeper implications.
Interest in Greenland stems from its vast potential and strategic location, which have long attracted the U.S. Several historical reports dating back to 1867 indicate that the U.S. was considering taking control of the island. Besides its mineral resources and abundance of rare earths, Greenland’s strategic position is increasingly valuable, particularly as melting Arctic ice opens new international opportunities.
Image | Gage Skidmore
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