It was a family outing for the Danish royals as they arrived in Greenland on Monday to celebrate the 25th jubilee of the Arctic island's home rule. First ashore from the royal yacht, escorted by five hunters paddling kayaks, were the Danish queen and her husband who received a rousing reception as they arrived in the island’s capital of Nuuk.
Later in the day they were joined by newlyweds Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, both of whom wore local dress – the prince donning traditional white anorak and dark trousers.
Wearing traditional Inuit costume – a red sweater with a multicoloured short poncho, sealskin pants and boots – Queen Margrethe was welcomed by Greenland premier Hans Enoksen and parliament speaker Jonathan Motzfeldt. The politicians then accompanied the monarch and her spouse Prince Henrik on a stroll up the hill to Greenland's wood-built Lutheran cathedral.
Although this is Australia-born Mary's first visit to Greenland, four years ago Frederik did a stint with the Sirius Sledge Patrol, Greenland's police force which monitors remote territory by dog sled. The pair will be visiting the force's headquarters during their visit.
During the tour, which runs from June 19 to July 5, the Danish royals will visit townships and settlements along the eastern and western coast. Greenland, which is a five-hour flight from Denmark, became a Danish colony in 1775. In the early 1950s it became a province when Denmark revised its constitution, and in 1979 it won semi-autonomy, and its own parliament.
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
