By Isabelle Yr Carlsson
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Denmark’s King Frederik on Monday pushed back by one day a visit to Greenland planned to underscore unity with the Danish territory in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in taking over the huge Arctic island.
The royal palace in Copenhagen said the trip was now expected to begin on Tuesday following the closure of the island’s main airport on Monday because of stormy weather.
The king, who has remained popular in Greenland despite recent strained relations between Greenland and Denmark, was set to arrive alongside Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is returning after a visit to Denmark.
King Frederik, who ascended the throne last year, serves as Denmark’s symbolic head of state but does not hold formal political powers. Nevertheless, his visit will be a significant demonstration of Danish historical unity with semi-autonomous Greenland, according to political commentator Noa Redington.
“His presence and especially his welcome will send a very clear signal that Denmark and Greenland belong together for now,” said Redington.
The visit follows months of tension stirred by Trump’s repeated assertions that Greenland should become part of the United States.
In December, Greenland’s then-premier accused Denmark of historical “genocide” there and then stepped up a push for independence in January. But Nielsen, who assumed office this month, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen affirmed their alliance at a joint press conference in Copenhagen on Sunday.
The Danish royal family traditionally makes annual visits to the island, and King Frederik has spent extended periods of time there, including on a four-month expedition.
Greenland, a Danish colony until 1953, officially became part of Denmark that year. It is now a self-governing territory of Denmark and secured the right to claim independence through a vote in 2009.
(Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson; editing by Louise Rasmussen, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Mark Heinrich and Timothy Heritage)
