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Difference between revisions of "Principality of Sealand"
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Westarctica (talk | contribs) (Created page with "400px|thumb|Sealand from a helicopter The '''Principality of Sealand''', more commonly known as '''Sealand''', is a micronation that claims Roughs...") |
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Since 1967, the decommissioned HM Fort Roughs has been occupied by family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates, who claim that it is an independent sovereign state. Bates seized it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters in 1967 with the intention of setting up his own station at the site. He attempted to establish Sealand as a nation-state in 1975 with the writing of a national constitution and establishment of other national symbols. | Since 1967, the decommissioned HM Fort Roughs has been occupied by family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates, who claim that it is an independent sovereign state. Bates seized it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters in 1967 with the intention of setting up his own station at the site. He attempted to establish Sealand as a nation-state in 1975 with the writing of a national constitution and establishment of other national symbols. | ||
While it has been described as the world's smallest country or nation, Sealand is not officially recognized by any established [[ | While it has been described as the world's smallest country or nation, Sealand is not officially recognized by any established [[Westphalian model|sovereign state]] in spite of Sealand's government's claim that it has been ''de facto'' recognized by the United Kingdom and Germany. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in force since 1994 states "Artificial islands, installations and structures do not possess the status of islands. They have no territorial sea of their own, and their presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf". Since 1987, Sealand lies within the territorial waters of the United Kingdom. | ||
Bates moved to the mainland when he became elderly, naming his son, Michael, as regent. Bates died in October 2012 at the age of 91. Michael lives in Suffolk, England. | Bates moved to the mainland when he became elderly, naming his son, Michael, as regent. Bates died in October 2012 at the age of 91. Michael lives in Suffolk, England. | ||
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==Administration== | ==Administration== | ||
[[File:Prince-of-Sealand.jpg|400px|thumb|Prince Michael of Sealand]] | [[File:Prince-of-Sealand.jpg|400px|thumb|Prince Michael of Sealand]] | ||
Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates family as if it were a | Irrespective of its legal status, Sealand is managed by the Bates family as if it were a recognized sovereign entity and they are its hereditary royal rulers. Roy Bates styled himself as Prince Roy and his wife Princess Joan. Their son (the current ruler of Sealand) is known as His Royal Highness Prince Michael and was referred to as the "Prince Regent" from 1999, until he became Prince in his own right. In this role, he apparently serves as Sealand's acting Head of State and also its Head of Government. At a [[micronation]]s conference hosted by the University of Sunderland in 2004, Sealand was represented by Michael Bates' son James. The facility is now occupied by one or more caretakers representing Michael Bates, who himself resides in Essex, England. | ||
===Constitution and laws=== | ===Constitution and laws=== | ||