King Frederik X of Denmark began a tour of Greenland on Tuesday, a few weeks after controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump regarding the island.
Trump wants control of the mineral-rich island which, he says, is crucial for U.S. security. He has not ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States.
King Frederik X arrived at Nuuk International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, alongside Greenland’s new head of government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, according to footage from Danish broadcasters DR and TV 2.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, enjoys significant autonomy but is officially part of the Kingdom of Denmark, like the Faroe Islands. King Frederik, therefore, serves as the head of state for its approximately 57,000 residents and is highly popular there.
The visit includes a tour of Greenland’s only university and a meeting with the Greenlandic government, according to the royal family.
Although the King of Denmark primarily has ceremonial duties and typically refrains from political issues, this visit is seen as a political gesture from Copenhagen, aiming to emphasise the unity of the Danish kingdom.
Both Denmark and Greenland have reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and insist that its future will be determined by the Greenlandic people.
In late March, US Vice President JD Vance made a contentious visit to the island.
