With Greenland dominating the headlines—we’ll spare you the reason why, you can research it yourself—the two young Danish royals who count Greenlandic names amongst their given names celebrated their 14th birthdays.
Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, fraternal twins and the youngest children of King Frederik and Queen Mary, celebrated their birthday amidst the ongoing media circus surrounding who ‘owns’ the autonomous territory that’s been a part of Denmark since the 1700s.
In new photographs, one joint photo and each twin posing for their own portrait, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine are sharply dressed. The photographs were taken on New Year’s Eve following King Frederik’s first New Year’s speech to the kingdom at Frederik VIII’s Palace, their private residence.
The twins were christened on 14 April 2011. As is customary in the Danish Royal Family, baby names are not made public until the child’s christening. Of King Frederik and Queen Mary’s four children, they are the only two who have received Greenlandic names.
Prince Vincent was named Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander. Minik is a Greenlandic Inuit name that means “oil used to seal skins” (some tabloids reported it as meaning ‘earwax.’).
Princess Josephine was named Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda. Ivalo is a Greenlandic Inuit name that means “sinew.”
The twins celebrated their birthday privately, but in four years when they turn 18, they’ll receive a special present from their father: the Order of the Elephant. As children of the Sovereign, they became members automatically upon his accession, however they’re not entitled to wear their honours until they reach their majority.
