King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark maintained a cheerful demeanour on Monday as they presided over their annual New Year diplomatic receptions, despite escalating tensions between Copenhagen and Washington over Greenland.
The royal couple welcomed guests across three separate events throughout the day. Supreme Court judges, Royal Life Guards and officers from the Guard Hussar Regiment attended the first gathering at Christian VII’s Palace within the Amalienborg complex.
Mayors and regional council leaders arrived next, greeted in a snow-covered courtyard.
The monarchs subsequently moved to Christiansborg Palace, home to the Danish Parliament, for a reception honouring the diplomatic corps.
King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark attending the New Year’s Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace on January 4
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GETTY
The diplomatic gatherings took place against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric from President Trump, who told The Atlantic magazine on Sunday that the United States “needs” the Arctic territory for defence purposes.
When asked about the implications of American military action in Venezuela for Greenland, Trump stated it was for others to determine, but reiterated: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking after US forces launched strikes in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro, warned the world to take notice when Trump makes commitments to address problems.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a firm rebuke, declaring it “absolutely no sense” to discuss America “needing” to acquire Greenland.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary arriving at the New Year’s levee at Christian VII’s Palace on January 5
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She stated the US has no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom and urged Washington to cease threatening “a historically close ally.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen described the American rhetoric as “entirely unacceptable,” responding to a social media post by Katie Miller, wife of a senior Trump ally, which depicted Greenland filled with the US flag alongside the word “soon.”
Mr Nielsen called the image “disrespectful” and demanded: “Enough is enough. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation.”
Throughout Monday’s events, Queen Mary, 53, dressed in a midnight blue velvet jacket and matching skirt, while King Frederik, 57, wore a military uniform.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen attending New Year’s reception in Christian VII’s Palace on January 1
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REUTERS
Queen Mary and King Frederik attending New Year’s Reception at Christian VII’s Palace on January 1
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REUTERS
The Queen accessorised with earrings from the Pearl Poire jewellery collection, pieces dating to the 1820s.
She also displayed the Order of the Elephant, Denmark’s most prestigious honour, pinned beneath her jacket on its distinctive light blue ribbon.
Unlike the New Year’s Day banquet, where Mary had worn a champagne gown with the Rose-Cut Diamond Bandeau Tiara, these daytime levees do not call for such formal adornments.
The tradition of hosting multiple receptions across several days dates back to the First World War.