Danish Royal Says Trump's Interest Is 'Compliment for Magical Greenland': 'Only Desirable Areas Receive Offers'

Members of the Danish royal family have not instantly dismissed President Donald Trump's idea of buying Greenland, adding that locals could even decide if they want the deal to go ahead.

Trump recently confirmed reports first published by The Wall Street Journal that he is considering looking into buying the autonomous Danish territory, describing the idea as essentially a "large real estate deal."

In comments sent to Newsweek, along with other publications including The Sun, Dr Princess Antonia of Schaumburg-Lippe, wife of Queen Margrethe II's cousin Prince Waldemar, suggested the interest should be taken as a compliment.

"A purchase offer is a compliment for magical Greenland, as only desirable areas receive offers," she said.

"The people of Greenland should and can decide about their own destiny."

Her son, Prince Mario Max Schaumburg-Lippe, added: "I love Greenland and want the beloved citizens there to be happy.

"Whatever they feel best and decide, needs to be supported."

Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump said that purchasing Greenland was "something we talked about."

"Denmark essentially owns it. We're very good allies with Denmark," Trump said. "We protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world. So the concept came up and I said, 'Certainly. Strategically, it's interesting, and we'd be interested.'

"But we'll talk to them a little bit. It's not number one on the burner, I can tell you that."

Trump also said he could help the Scandinavian country by purchasing Greenland, claiming the island is "hurting Denmark very badly because they're losing almost $700 million a year carrying it."

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump also contemplated the idea of buying Greenland for its natural resources and because it would give him a "legacy akin to President Dwight Eisenhower's admission of Alaska into the U.S. as a state."

However, the idea has been widely dismissed by several prominent figures in Denmark.

Speaking to Danish broadcaster DR, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: "It's an absurd discussion, and [Greenland Prime Minister] Kim Kielsen has of course made it clear that Greenland is not for sale. That's where the conversation ends."

Speaking to reporters in Greenland while on visiting Kielsen for a separate matter, Frederiksen added: "Thankfully, the time where you buy and sell other countries and populations is over. Let's leave it there."

Denmark's former prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen tweeted: "It has to be an April Fool's joke...Totally out of season!"

Soren Espersen, foreign affairs spokesman for the Danish People's Party, said if reports of Trump's desire to buy Greenland are true then it is "final proof that he has gone mad."

"The thought of Denmark selling 50,000 citizens to the United States is completely ridiculous," he told DR.

Elsewhere, Trump made light of the news surrounding his interest in purchasing Greenland by promising he wouldn't construct one of his towers on the island.

The president tweeted a doctored photo showing one of his skyscrapers looming over a small village.

"I promise not to do this to Greenland!" Trump wrote as a caption to the image on August 19.