Greenlanders value the Royal Family – but younger generations are less convinced

A new survey shows that the Royal Family continues to hold personal significance for many Greenlanders, even as a generational divide becomes increasingly clear.

Fifty percent of respondents say the Royal Family has either “some” or “great” personal importance to them. In contrast, 22 percent say it has little or no importance.

The poll was conducted by survey expert Sune Steffen Hansen for The Copenhagen Post between January 22 and 29. Prepared in collaboration with Opinion Denmark, it is based on 610 interviews representing all age groups and municipalities across Greenland.

“The survey indicates that the Royal House still carries symbolic weight in Greenland,” says Hansen. “At the same time, it reveals a clear generational gap that cannot be ignored.”

A matter of age

Support for the monarchy rises significantly with age. Among Greenlanders aged 65 and over, 78 percent say the Royal Family has some or great personal importance, and more than half in this age group describe that importance as “great.”

In the 50–64 age group, 53 percent say the Royal Family has some or great importance.

Among younger Greenlanders, however, the picture is different. In the 18–34 age group, just 18 percent say the Royal Family has great personal importance, while 24 percent say it has some importance.

“The results clearly show that the Royal Family is facing a generational shift,” Hansen says. “If the monarchy wants to maintain strong ties in Greenland in the long term, it will need to engage younger generations more actively.”

The findings are published ahead of this week’s visit to Greenland by King Frederik X, who ascended the throne following the abdication of Queen Margrethe II in 2024.

While debates about Greenland’s constitutional future continue, the monarchy still appears to retain emotional resonance for a substantial share of the population – particularly among older Greenlanders.