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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 January 2020, Prince Graeme announced that Hutt River would be closing its borders and ceasing all internal and external government activity. | 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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==Death of Prince Leonard== | ==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." | 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." | ||
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==Border Closure== | ==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. | 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] | * [http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/Media_Release/PHR_MEDIA_RELEASE_27_Dec_2019.htm Border closure announcement] | ||
[[Category:Micronations]] | [[Category:Micronations]] | ||