Danish king alters coat of arms over Greenland dispute with Trump

King Frederik of Denmark has made a bold statement by altering the royal coat of arms, now more prominently featuring Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

The move, following his January 2024 accession, replaces the three crowns with symbols of Greenland's polar bear and the Faroe Islands' ram, signalling Denmark's commitment to unity with its territories, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The change, which some historians find shocking, comes amid rising tensions over Greenland's political future. Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede has called for independence, accusing Denmark of historical wrongs, while US President Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in purchasing the territory. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is also reportedly visiting Greenland this week.

King Frederik explained the revision in his first New Year’s speech, stating, “We are all united and each of us committed to the kingdom of Denmark... all the way to Greenland. We belong together.”

The royal household defended the redesign, stating that the three crowns had been removed as they were no longer relevant.

Historian Dick Harrison called the removal of the three crowns “a sensation,” given the symbol’s historical significance, while experts suggest the king's actions align with Denmark's political stance on maintaining the unity of the kingdom.

"It is important to signal from the Danish side that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish realm," noted royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen.

By Aghakazim Guliyev