Historic reunion between Queen Margrethe and President Halla Tómasdóttir highlights Iceland-Denmark ties in Copenhagen

In 1981, a press conference during the state visit of the Icelandic president took a surprisingly humorous turn, resembling a stand-up show, with Queen Margrethe and then newly elected Icelandic President Vigdis Finnbogadottir as the main attractions. Queen Margrethe recounted how her parents found her Icelandic middle name, Þórhildur, beautiful but humorously noted that historical sagas portray her namesake as rather unsavory, eliciting laughter from the audience.

The press conference lasted 40 minutes, filled with laughter and camaraderie between the two leaders. This chemistry is something King Frederik and Queen Mary hope to replicate today as they welcome the newly elected Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir and her spouse, Björn Skúlason.

The historic press conference highlighted the often tumultuous relationship between Iceland and the Danish royal family, a connection dating back to Queen Margrethe’s predecessor, Queen Margrethe I, who incorporated Iceland into the Danish realm in 1380. Over the years, economic exploitation overshadowed the welfare of Icelanders, particularly under King Christian IV, who mandated that all trade go through Denmark.

Growing discontent among Icelanders eventually led to independence movements, culminating in a 1944 referendum where 97% voted for full sovereignty, marking the end of Iceland’s ties to the Danish monarchy.

Despite their separation, Queen Margrethe maintains that Iceland remains part of the Nordic family. She emphasized that, like any family, they may have disputes, but solidarity prevails in challenging times. This enduring bond is one that King Frederik will continue to nurture, as evidenced by his past visits to Iceland, including a recent exploration of a CO2 storage project aimed at reducing climate impact.