Greenland and Denmark Unite in Face of U.S. Arctic Ambitions as King Frederik Arrives

Denmark’s King Frederik arrived in Nuuk on Wednesday as he embarked on his second visit to Greenland within a year, underscoring unity with the Danish territory in the face of President Donald Trump’s push to acquire the Arctic island.

The visit comes after Greenland, Denmark, and the U.S. launched diplomatic talks late last month to resolve the crisis between the parties, following months of tension within the NATO defense alliance over Trump’s repeated comments.

Denmark’s prime minister said on Friday that she and her Greenlandic counterpart held a constructive meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio but warned that Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland had not changed.

The king wore a black customized puffer jacket featuring the Danish and Greenlandic flag on the left side of his chest.

He hugged Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the head of the Inatsisartut, the Greenlandic parliament, Kim Kielsen, who received him on the tarmac.

King Frederik will later visit a school in Nuuk and the headquarters of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, as well as Royal Greenland—the island’s largest company and seafood producer.

The Danish royal family traditionally makes annual visits to Greenland, often appearing in the island’s national dress, which includes a white anorak for men and an elaborate beaded collar in bright colors for women, along with sealskin boots.

King Frederik has spent extended periods in Greenland, including a four-month expedition on the island’s ice sheet.

On Thursday, he will travel to Maniitsoq on Greenland’s west coast—approximately 140 km (87 miles) north of Nuuk—and visit the Arctic Basic Training program in Kangerlussuaq on Friday.