Today officially marks the Golden Jubilee of HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Unfortunately, the main celebrations have been postponed until September due to pandemic restrictions. This year, however, also marks a change in the Royal Arms of Denmark which had basically been in existence in its then form for over 100 years.
Queen Margrethe's Accession on 14th January 1972 on the death of her father, HM King Frederick IX, was a landmark event. She had become heir presumptive to her father in 1953 when a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne (at that stage, only if she has no older or younger brothers). As King Frederick and Queen Ingrid had three daughters and no sons, Margrethe inherited the Throne instead of her uncle Hereditary Prince Knud.
Frederick's version contained Quarterings corresponding to the medieval titles of "King of the Wends" [the Lindworm or gold Wyvern on red] and "King of Goths" [the single blue Lion above the rows of Hearts] and the ducal titles relating to Holstein [Nettle Leaves], Stormarn [Swan], Dithmarsch [Knight on horseback], Lauenburg [Horse's Head], and Delmenhorst [Cross Pattée].
The first and fourth Quarters both now represent Denmark with the three crowned Lions passant accompanied by nine Hearts; the second Quarter still contains two Lions passant representing Schleswig, a former Danish province now divided between Denmark and Germany; the third Quarter is still subdivided: The three Crowns are officially interpreted as a symbol of the former Kalmar Union (rather than just Sweden) and are shown by authority of the Treaty of Knäred, signed on 21st January 1613 which ended the Kalmar War, the Ram represents the Faroe Islands and the Polar Bear represents Greenland. (Note that the polar bear in the Coat of Arms of Greenland raises its left forepaw, due to the traditional Inuit belief that polar bears are left-handed.)
The central Inescutcheon, with two red Bars on gold, represents the House of Oldenburg, the former Royal Dynasty which ruled Denmark and Norway from the middle of the fifteenth century. When the senior branch of this Dynasty became extinct in 1863, the Crown passed to Prince Christian of the cadet branch Glücksburg, whose descendants have reigned in Denmark ever since. The House of Glücksburg continues the use of the Arms of the old Oldenburg dynasty, which is still officially referred to by its old association.
All other aspects of the Arms - Supporters, Pavilion, Crown and Orders - remained the same.
Today's commemorations have been limited to a meeting of the Council of State, a Royal Visit to parliament and a Wreath-Laying at the grave of Her Majesty's parents. After all, this is the 50th Anniversary of the death of HM King Frederick IX.
Here's a health unto Her Majesty and many Congratulations on her Jubilee Year!