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Difference between revisions of "Principality of Hutt River"
Principality of Hutt River (view source)
Revision as of 10:11, 10 January 2020
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The Principality is a regional tourist attraction and issues its own currency, stamps and passports (which are not recognized by the Australian Government or any other government). The micronation was founded on 21 April 1970 when Leonard Casley declared his farm to be an independent country, the Hutt River Province. He attempted to secede from Australia over a dispute concerning wheat production quotas. A few years later, Casley began styling himself 'Prince Leonard' and granting family members royal titles, although he did not include the word "principality" in his country's official name until 2006. | The Principality is a regional tourist attraction and issues its own currency, stamps and passports (which are not recognized by the Australian Government or any other government). The micronation was founded on 21 April 1970 when Leonard Casley declared his farm to be an independent country, the Hutt River Province. He attempted to secede from Australia over a dispute concerning wheat production quotas. A few years later, Casley began styling himself 'Prince Leonard' and granting family members royal titles, although he did not include the word "principality" in his country's official name until 2006. | ||
In February 2017 at the age of 91 and after ruling for 45 years, Prince Leonard abdicated the throne in favor of his youngest son, Prince Graeme. | In February 2017 at the age of 91 and after ruling for 45 years, Prince Leonard abdicated the throne in favor of his youngest son, Prince Graeme. In January 2020, Prince Graeme announced that Hutt River would be closing its borders and ceasing all internal and external government activity. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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In April 2016, the Principality received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II which communicated the Queen’s good wishes on the anniversary of the founding of the Principality 46 years ago, on 21 April 1970. The letter from Buckingham Palace is signed by Sonia Bonici, Senior Correspondence Officer. It reads in part: “I am to convey Her Majesty’s good wishes to you and to all concerned for a most enjoyable and successful celebration on 23rd and 24th of April to mark the forty-sixth anniversary of the Principality of Hutt River.” The Queen was replying to a letter from Prince Leonard congratulating her on her 90th birthday. | In April 2016, the Principality received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II which communicated the Queen’s good wishes on the anniversary of the founding of the Principality 46 years ago, on 21 April 1970. The letter from Buckingham Palace is signed by Sonia Bonici, Senior Correspondence Officer. It reads in part: “I am to convey Her Majesty’s good wishes to you and to all concerned for a most enjoyable and successful celebration on 23rd and 24th of April to mark the forty-sixth anniversary of the Principality of Hutt River.” The Queen was replying to a letter from Prince Leonard congratulating her on her 90th birthday. | ||
==Border Closure== | |||
In January 2020, Prince Graeme announced that Hutt River would be closing its borders and ceasing all activity as a [[micronation]]. The prince insists that he is not abdicating, but merely entering a period of inactivity during which no governmental actions will be taken. As of 31 January 2020, the Principality of Hutt River is closed to the public and no further tourists will be permitted to visit the country's territory. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/ Official Site] | * [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/ Official Site] | ||
* [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/Media_Release/PHR_MEDIA_RELEASE_27_Dec_2019.htm Border closure announcement] | |||
[[Category:Micronations]] | [[Category:Micronations]] | ||