Denmark’s coat of arms features Greenland more prominently after Trump talks purchase of island

Published Jan 08, 2025  •  2 minute read

Picture taken June 29, 2024, shows the town of Aasiaat, in western Greenland, located on its namesake island in the heart of Aasiaat Archipelago at the southern end of Disko Bay. Photo by IDA MARIE ODGAARD / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP / FILES /Getty Images

Denmark’s king has changed the country’s royal coat of arms to feature Greenland more prominently as Donald Trump continues to amplify his intent to purchase the large, ice-covered island directly east of Canada.

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Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory and former colony in the Atlantic Ocean, has been in the news in recent weeks as U.S. President-elect Trump insists the world’s largest island is needed for American safety and security.

The previous coat of arms featured a polar bear for Greenland, a ram for the Faroe Islands, and three crowns to represent the Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden between 1397 and 1523, in one of the four fields.

The updated version, unveiled on New Year’s Day by King Frederik, now places the polar bear and ram in their own fields. The three crowns have been removed because it no longer is considered as relevant, according to the king.

Denmark’s previous coat of arms is seen on the left and new coat of arms on the right. Photo by Royal House of Denmark /Kongehuset

The changes follow recommendations from a committee appointed by King Frederik shortly after he ascended the throne nearly a year ago.

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“We are all united and each of us committed for the kingdom of Denmark,” the king said in his New Year’s Day speech, according to The Guardian. “From the Danish minority in South Schleswig – which is even situated outside the kingdom – and all the way to Greenland. We belong together.”

Following the U.S. presidential election in November, Trump mused about buying Greenland, suggested Canada become the 51st state of the union, and quipped that control of the Panama Canal should be returned to the U.S.

On Tuesday, Trump’s son, Don Jr., paid a private visit to Greenland alongside the President-elect’s representatives.

Donald Trump, Jr., centre, visited Greenland on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. Photo by Donald Trump /Truth Social

“The reception has been great,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. “They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

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However, the Danish government said Greenland, which has the option for independence in the future, will not be sold off.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said during an interview with Danish broadcaster TV2 that Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede “has been very, very clear – that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either,” according to The Hill.

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