{"id":17478,"date":"2026-02-18T15:57:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:57:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/17478\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T15:57:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:57:39","slug":"why-is-king-frederik-of-denmark-the-king-of-greenland-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/17478\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is King Frederik of Denmark the King of Greenland?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, King Frederik X<\/a> kicks off a three-day trip to Greenland<\/a>, his third visit to the Arctic island since he became monarch. \u201cThe morale of the Greenlanders must, of course, be kept up, and it is a pleasure for me to meet with as many as possible at eye level,\u201d he told reporters<\/a>. Frederik, as the head of state of Greenland, does not hold formal political powers in the country, but he is still their king.<\/p>\n

Why? Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and has been for centuries. When the monarchy of Denmark and Norway split in 1814, Denmark kept Greenland as a colony, and it remained as one until after the World War II. In 1953, Greenland became part of Denmark and in 1979, it achieved home rule and the formation of Greenlandic Parliament. In 2009, it gained self rule. Today, in 2026, Greenland is a self-governing, autonomous territory.<\/p>\n

\"TOPSHOT-GREENLAND-DENMARK-US-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-FEATURE\"<\/p>\n

A Greenland flag at the coastline in Nuuk. JONATHAN NACKSTRAND – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Greenland could be independent one day. Dr. Mikkel Runge Olesen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), writes<\/a>, \u201cThe 2009 law firmly established that the decision to go for independence from Denmark would now rest with the Greenlandic people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet, he adds, \u201cThere is no doubt that the majority of Greenlanders want to use this option eventually. Polls<\/a> show this. Independence has been accepted in Denmark as well. However, polls also consistently show that Greenlanders do not want independence if the price is the collapse of the Greenlandic welfare state. Herein lies the challenge. Greenland is vast, stretching over more than 800,000 square miles, but its population is tiny, consisting of only 56,000 people. Furthermore, the climate remains harsh for most of the year, especially in the North. For these reasons, among others, the Greenlandic government remains dependent on a yearly block grant from Denmark of roughly $600 million, as well as on the Danish state supporting services in areas such as defense, coast guard, and law enforcement. Greenlandic independence, therefore, depends on substantial continued Danish assistance after independence, something the Greenlandic government has yet to convince Denmark to accept.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Danish<\/p>\n

Then-Princess Margrethe of Denmark and her husband Prince Henrik with their children Princes Joachim and Frederik during a visit to Greenland in 1970. Keystone – Getty Images<\/p>\n

King Frederik\u2019s schedule in Greenland is busy: He will spend today in Nuuk, including visiting the headquarters of the Joint Arctic Command and taking part in a traditional kaffemik (coffee and cake). Tomorrow, he will visit Maniitsoq, and Friday, the King will conclude his visit in Kangerlussuaq. \u201cThere will be pictures of Greenlanders warmly welcoming King Frederik with flags and kaffemik. The pictures will reach American media and Trump will see them,\u201d says<\/a> Danish author Gitte Redder. \u201cThe Danish royal family has always played a strong role in being a bridge that brings Greenland and Denmark together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Redder added, \u201cGreenland has a big place in the King\u2019s heart. He wants to show up and give a signal to the Greenlanders, but also to President Trump and the White House, that we are the united kingdom of Denmark. Greenland and Denmark are together no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

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