Danish King’s big move after Donald Trump Greenland row

King Frederik has seemingly rebuked the incoming US president after a public row over a key island territory.

The King of Denmark has seemingly rebuked Donald Trump by changing the royal coat of arms to more prominently feature the territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

King Frederik, husband of Australian-born Queen Mary, established the new design via royal resolution on December 20 before being revealed to the public on January 1.

Under the updated motif, the three crowns representing the Kamlar Union – a medieval joining of Scandinavian nations – has been dropped while Greenland’s upright polar bear and the Faroes’ ram given their own quadrants.

The last time the royal mark had been altered was in 1972, by Frederick’s mother Queen Margrethe. It has been changed just four times since 1819.

The move comes weeks after Greenland’s leader declared it was “not for sale” as the US president-elect Mr Trump publicly pondered buying the island territory.

Aussie born Queen Mary and King Frederik. Picture: Hanne Juul/Aller/Mega

Mr Trump confirmed Monday, US time, that his eldest son Don Jr plans to visit Greenland, two weeks after the incoming president suggested that Washington annex the autonomous Danish territory.

“My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be travelling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights,” Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site, without offering a specific time frame for the trip.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation.

“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

The Danish Royal Coat of Arms was changed to a new version (right) in December. Picture: Wiki Commons

Earlier, the Danish foreign ministry said it had “noted the planned visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Greenland,” adding: “As it is not an official American visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has no further comment.”

Greenland is a large autonomous island territory in the Arctic, sitting closer to Canada than Denmark. Despite its North American location, it has been culturally associated with Europe since the 900s.

Just before Christmas, Mr Trump said that “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”.

Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to acquire Greenland. Picture: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images/AFP

The island’s government responded that it was not for sale, echoing its response to similar statements from then president Trump in 2019.

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede said in a statement in late December: “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”

The Danish government also announced a “double digit billion” Krone investment for Greenland’s defence capabilities on Christmas Eve.

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the timing was an “irony of fate” and not linked to Mr Trump’s posturing.

“We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence,” he said.

Royal expert Lars Hovbakke Sørensen told broadcaster TV2 he believed the changes to the coat of arms sent a message to the world.

“It is important to signal from the Danish side that Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish realm, and that this is not up for discussion,” he said.

“This is how you mark it.”