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[[File:Hutt-River-Sign.jpg|400px|thumb|Hutt River border sign]] | [[File:Hutt-River-Sign.jpg|400px|thumb|Hutt River border sign]] | ||
The '''Principality of Hutt River''', often referred to by its former name, the '''Hutt River Province''', | The '''Principality of Hutt River''', often referred to by its former name, the '''Hutt River Province''', was a [[micronation]] in Australia. The principality claimed to be an independent sovereign state founded on 21 April 1970. The territory was located 517 km (354 mi) north of Perth, near the town of Northampton in the state of Western Australia. It had an area of 75 square kilometers (29 sq mi), making it larger than several independent countries. It was not recognized as a country by the Australian Government or any other national government, and the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Western Australia had rejected submissions arguing that it is not subject to Australian laws. | ||
The Principality | The Principality was a regional tourist attraction that issued its own currency, stamps and passports (which were 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. | ||
On 3 August 2020, Prince Graeme announced that the Principality would rejoin Australia after all its property was sold off to repay the family's tax debts. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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In September 2006, Prince Leonard decided to change the Province's name to "Principality of Hutt River." In January 2017, Prince Leonard announced that, after ruling for 45 years, he would be stepping down as prince, to be succeeded by his youngest son, Prince Graeme. With a number of potential sons and daughters, the successor was nominated by the Prince and approved by a crown committee. Some commentary at the time had expected his older son, Prince Lan, to be the successor. In June 2017, Prince Leonard was ordered by the Supreme Court of Western Australia to pay $2.7 million unpaid tax, and Prince Wayne was ordered to pay $242,000 unpaid tax. | In September 2006, Prince Leonard decided to change the Province's name to "Principality of Hutt River." In January 2017, Prince Leonard announced that, after ruling for 45 years, he would be stepping down as prince, to be succeeded by his youngest son, Prince Graeme. With a number of potential sons and daughters, the successor was nominated by the Prince and approved by a crown committee. Some commentary at the time had expected his older son, Prince Lan, to be the successor. In June 2017, Prince Leonard was ordered by the Supreme Court of Western Australia to pay $2.7 million unpaid tax, and Prince Wayne was ordered to pay $242,000 unpaid tax. | ||
==Death of Prince Leonard== | |||
[[File:Graeme-Hutt River.jpg|350px|thumb|Prince Graeme (left) and Prince Leonard (right) in the Principality of Hutt River]] | |||
On 12 February 2019, Prince Leonard passed away peacefully in his sleep at St. John of God Hospital in Geraldton, Australia. His Royal Highness had been battling emphysema for 20 years and succumbed to a severe chest infection. In a public statement following his father's passing, Prince Graeme said: "He was a man of small stature but a man of big shoes ... He’s a man that lived three lifetimes, and he did very well to get to 93." | |||
The Principality’s Acting Minister for Electronic Communications, Lord Steven Baikie, said the border to Hutt River would be closed for three weeks and no visitors would be permitted. | |||
===Westarctica's response=== | |||
Immediately upon confirming the Prince's death through multiple news sources, [[Grand Duke Travis]] declared [[Westarctica]]'s first-ever official Day of Mourning. | |||
==Relations with foreign nations== | ==Relations with foreign nations== | ||
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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. | |||
==Reunification with Australia== | |||
On 3 August 2020, Prince Graeme announced that the government of the principality would be dissolved and the country would reunite with Australia. He indicated a desire to sell the farm property in order to repay tax debts owed to the Australian government. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/ Official Site] | * [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/ Official Site] | ||
* [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-03/hutt-river-province-dissolves-into-commonwealth/12518898 News Story on the Dissilution of the Principality] | |||
* [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/Media_Release/PHR_MEDIA_RELEASE_27_Dec_2019.htm Border closure announcement] | |||
[[Category:Micronations]] | [[Category:Micronations]] | ||