After three centuries of Danish rule, Greenlanders are celebrating their new self-rule status, which goes into effect today. Just over 75 percent of the population voted in favour of greater autonomy in a referendum last November. The move is another a step towards complete independence from Denmark.

Local government will take control of the police and courts and Greenlandic will become the official language. Although Denmark still has control over defence and foreign policy, Greenland will have more control over natural resources, including oil, gas, gold and diamonds.

Denmark's Queen Margarita and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen are both scheduled to attend the ceremony marking Greenland's autonomy.