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{{Infobox country
{{VA}}{{LA}}{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Principality of Sealand
| conventional_long_name = Principality of Sealand
| native_name            = Sealand
| image_flag            = Flag of Sealand.png
| image_flag            = Flag of Sealand.svg
| image_coat            = Coat of arms of Sealand.png
| image_coat            = Coat of arms of Sealand.svg
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| symbol_width          = 120px
| motto                  = ''E Mare Libertas''
| motto                  = ''E Mare Libertas''<br /><small>From the Sea, Freedom</small>
| motto_english          = From the Sea, Freedom
| anthem                = ''E Mare Libertas''
| image_map              = Sealand_location.png
| map_caption            = Location of Sealand in the North Sea
| coordinates            = {{coord|51|53|40|N|1|28|57|E|region:GB_type:country|display=inline,title}}
| capital                = HM Fort Roughs
| capital                = HM Fort Roughs
| largest_city          = HM Fort Roughs
| official_languages    = English
| official_languages    = English
| ethnic_groups          = Bates family and associates
| religion              = None (secular)
| demonym                = Sealandic
| demonym                = Sealandic
| government_type        = Constitutional monarchy
| government_type        = Constitutional monarchy
Line 21: Line 14:
| leader_title2          = Heir apparent
| leader_title2          = Heir apparent
| leader_name2          = Prince James
| leader_name2          = Prince James
| sovereignty_type      = Declaration of independence
| sovereignty_note      = from the United Kingdom
| established_event1    = Platform occupied
| established_date1      = 2 September 1967
| established_date1      = 2 September 1967
| established_event2    = Declared independence
| established_date2      = 2 September 1967
| area_km2              = 0.004
| area_km2              = 0.004
| population_estimate    = ~5–25 (fluctuating)
| population_estimate    = 5–25 (fluctuating)
| currency              = Sealand dollar (pegged to USD)
| currency              = Sealand dollar (pegged to USD)
| currency_code          = SXD
| time_zone              = GMT
| utc_offset            = +0
| calling_code          = +44 (disputed)
| cctld                  = None (uses .com/.org)
| today                  = Micronation
}}
}}
The '''Principality of Sealand''' is a micronation located on HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort in the North Sea, approximately 12 km off the coast of Suffolk, England. Proclaimed independent on 2 September 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates, it is the oldest and most famous micronation still in existence.


The '''Principality of Sealand''' is a micronation located on HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort situated in the North Sea approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) off the coast of Suffolk, England. Proclaimed on 2 September 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates, it is the oldest and most famous micronation still in existence.
Sealand claims sovereignty but is not recognised by any United Nations member state.


Sealand claims to be a sovereign state but is not recognised as such by any UN member state.
== History ==
[[File:Sealand fort.jpg|thumb|HM Fort Roughs (Sealand) in 2017]]


== History ==
In 1966, Paddy Roy Bates occupied the abandoned platform to broadcast pirate radio. After British courts attempted prosecution, he declared independence on 2 September 1967, proclaiming himself Prince Roy I and his wife Joan as Princess Joan.
[[File:Sealand_fort.jpg|thumb|left|250px|HM Fort Roughs in 2017]]
In 1966, Paddy Roy Bates, a former British Army major and pirate-radio broadcaster, occupied the abandoned Roughs Tower to operate Radio Essex. After legal troubles with British authorities, he declared the platform independent on 2 September 1967, proclaiming himself Prince Roy I and his wife Joan as Princess Joan.


In 1968, the British Royal Navy attempted to evict the Bates family. When approached, Michael Bates fired warning shots, leading to the famous “Sealand invasion trial” (''R v. Bates'', 1968), in which a British court ruled it had no jurisdiction because the fort lay outside UK territorial waters at the time. This remains Sealand’s primary legal argument for independence.
In 1968, British authorities tried to seize the platform. Michael Bates fired warning shots, leading to a court case in which a British judge ruled the fort was outside UK territorial waters — Sealand’s primary legal claim ever since.


In 1978, while Roy and Joan were in England, a German-Dutch group led by Alexander Achenbach staged a coup, taking Prince Michael hostage. Roy and Michael counter-attacked by helicopter and retook the platform, holding the invaders as prisoners of war. This is the only armed conflict in Sealand’s history.
In 1978, while the Bates family were ashore, a German-Dutch group staged a coup and took Prince Michael hostage. Roy and Michael retook the platform by helicopter in a dramatic counter-attack — the only armed conflict in Sealand’s history.


== Government and politics ==
Prince Roy died in 2012; his son Michael continues to rule as Prince Michael.
Sealand operates as an absolute monarchy that has gradually transitioned toward a constitutional model. Prince Michael Bates has ruled since his father’s death in 2012.


Sealand issues its own passports (mostly honorary), coins, stamps, and titles of nobility. Between 1998 and 2006 it briefly hosted HavenCo, an offshore data-haven company.
== Government and citizenship ==
Sealand operates as a constitutional monarchy. It has issued passports (mostly honorary), coins, stamps, and noble titles. From 2000–2010 it briefly hosted HavenCo, an offshore data centre.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
Sealand consists of a single platform (Roughs Tower) with a surface area of approximately 4,000 m². It stands on two concrete legs in the Thames Estuary.
Sealand consists of a single platform (Roughs Tower) with a usable area of about 4,000 m² on two concrete legs rising from the sea.


== Economy ==
== Economy ==
Revenue comes primarily from:
Revenue comes from:
* Sale of noble titles (Lord, Lady, Baron, etc.)
* Sale of titles of nobility
* Merchandise and coins
* Coins and merchandise
* Occasional media and film licensing
* Media licensing


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==
Sealand has received limited diplomatic recognition from other micronations and has mutual recognition agreements with several, including the Republic of Molossia and the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis. No UN member state recognises Sealand as sovereign.
Sealand has diplomatic relations with several other micronations but none with UN member states.
 
== In popular culture ==
Sealand has appeared in numerous documentaries, television shows, and films. It remains the iconic symbol of micronationalism worldwide.


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of micronations]]
* [[List of micronations]]
* [[Maunsell Forts]]
* [[Maunsell Forts]]
* [[Micronational war]]
* [[MicroCon]]
 
{{Micronations}}


[[Category:Micronations]]
[[Category:Micronations]]
[[Category:Principality of Sealand]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:1967 establishments]]
[[Category:1967 establishments]]
[[Category:North Sea]]

Latest revision as of 18:58, 19 November 2025

Verified Article

Laureate Article

Principality of Sealand

    


Motto 'E Mare Libertas'
From the Sea, Freedom
Capital HM Fort Roughs
Official language(s) English
Government Constitutional monarchy
Prince Michael Bates
Established 2 September 1967
Area 0.004 km²
Population 5–25 (fluctuating)
Micronation – bilateral micronational recognition only

The Principality of Sealand is a micronation located on HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort in the North Sea, approximately 12 km off the coast of Suffolk, England. Proclaimed independent on 2 September 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates, it is the oldest and most famous micronation still in existence.

Sealand claims sovereignty but is not recognised by any United Nations member state.

History

[edit | edit source]
HM Fort Roughs (Sealand) in 2017

In 1966, Paddy Roy Bates occupied the abandoned platform to broadcast pirate radio. After British courts attempted prosecution, he declared independence on 2 September 1967, proclaiming himself Prince Roy I and his wife Joan as Princess Joan.

In 1968, British authorities tried to seize the platform. Michael Bates fired warning shots, leading to a court case in which a British judge ruled the fort was outside UK territorial waters — Sealand’s primary legal claim ever since.

In 1978, while the Bates family were ashore, a German-Dutch group staged a coup and took Prince Michael hostage. Roy and Michael retook the platform by helicopter in a dramatic counter-attack — the only armed conflict in Sealand’s history.

Prince Roy died in 2012; his son Michael continues to rule as Prince Michael.

Government and citizenship

[edit | edit source]

Sealand operates as a constitutional monarchy. It has issued passports (mostly honorary), coins, stamps, and noble titles. From 2000–2010 it briefly hosted HavenCo, an offshore data centre.

Geography

[edit | edit source]

Sealand consists of a single platform (Roughs Tower) with a usable area of about 4,000 m² on two concrete legs rising from the sea.

Economy

[edit | edit source]

Revenue comes from:

  • Sale of titles of nobility
  • Coins and merchandise
  • Media licensing

Recognition

[edit | edit source]

Sealand has diplomatic relations with several other micronations but none with UN member states.

See also

[edit | edit source]
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