World's smallest self-proclaimed nation - an old WWII fort the size of two tennis courts - gets 'thousands' of citizenship requests following votes for Brexit and Donald Trump
- EXCLUSIVE: Sealand has a flag, currency, stamps and a national anthem
- Ruler plans to reclaim land from North Sea to expand the small platform
- Prince Michael thinks people want to register their discontent with votes
- The 50th anniversary of Sealand's foundation is approaching in 2017
Prince Michael of Sealand, who rules the abandoned WWII fort six miles off the East Anglia coast
The world’s smallest self-proclaimed nation has received 'thousands' of citizenship applications following the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election.
Prince Michael of Sealand, who rules the abandoned WWII fort six miles off the East Anglia coast, is planning to reclaim land from the sea to accommodate a bigger population.
Currently, only two people live on the platform, which was declared a sovereign state in 1967 by Prince Michael’s father, Army officer Major Roy Bates.
Sealand has its own currency, first minted in 1974, as well as a national anthem, flag, constitution and football team – once captained by Royle Family actor Ralf Little.
Prince Michael believes the demand for citizenship is mainly from people wanting to ‘register their discontent’ with political developments in Britain and America.
He told MailOnline: ‘After the vote for Brexit we had several hundred enquiries daily.
‘Then following the American vote it was in excess of 200 daily and we are still getting enquiries as the situation sinks in.’
Sealand has its own currency, first minted in 1974, as well as a national anthem, flag, constitution and football team – once captained by Royle Family actor Ralf Little
Joan Bates was crowned Princess of Sealand by her husband Roy - Prince Michael's father - after he occupied the platform in 1967 and declared it to be an independent country
Prince Michael believes the demand for citizenship is mainly from people wanting to ‘register their discontent’ with political developments. Pictured: Sealand's place on a map
Several hundred Sealand passports have been handed out since it was created, and at its peak the rusty platform the size of two tennis courts housed 50 people.
Although none have been issued since the 9/11 attacks for security reasons, Prince Michael hopes to do so again soon.
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Sealand’s foundation dates back to Christmas Eve 1966, when Michael’s father took over HM Fort Roughs with the intention of using it as a base for a pirate radio station.
In 1967, new laws were brought in to crush unlicensed networks, so Roy proclaimed the fort a sovereign country, crowning his wife, former beauty queen Joan, princess.
Princess Joan passed away in March this year, leaving Michael – who became Prince Regent after his father died in October 2012 – the sole ruler. Pictured: Joan and Roy Bates
Roy Bates and Joan pictured on Sealand, which used to be called HM Fort Roughs
Since then the principality has fought off an attack by rival radio producers, an incursion by a Royal Navy ship and even an attempted coup by a group of German businessmen.
Princess Joan passed away in March this year, leaving Michael – who became Prince Regent after his father died in October 2012 – the sole ruler.
He now lives at Leigh-on-Sea on the Essex coast, and helps fund Sealand by selling noble titles, including those of Lord, Lady and Baroness.
Michael does not think Brexit will change Sealand in the short term.
However, he hopes for a good trade deal for the UK to help his business shipping cockles to Spain.
In the future, he believes a population of ‘hundreds’ could live on Sealand, perhaps using floating platforms.
Although Michael’s children - Liam, 28, James, 30, Charlotte 25 – take a keen interest in Sealand, he would not rule out selling it to allow for future expansion to happen.
Passports, such as this one pictured, have not been issued since the 9/11 attacks for security reasons, but Prince Michael hopes to do so again soon
A pair of Sealand coins. On the left is the head of Princess Joan, and on the right the Sealand coat of arms
He added: ‘We want other people living there, hundreds.
‘I cannot think of a better place for some a very rich person to own.
'It is pretty much the only place in Europe where they could enjoy semi-autonomy.
‘And then it is just a helicopter ride away from London where you can enjoy the weekend.’
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS, RIFLES... AND THE LAW: HOW SEALAND HAS FOUGHT OFF ITS ENEMIES
Over the years, Sealand has faced repeated threats to its sovereignty, some of which have needed to be seen off with force
Over the years, Sealand has faced repeated threats to its sovereignty, some of which have needed to be seen off with force -
Not long after its foundation, rival pirate radio bosses from Radio Caroline tried to invade, forcing the Bateses to fight them off with Molotov cocktails.
There was also trouble from the British Government, which was at first hostile to Sealand’s claim to be a sovereign state.
Things came to a head in 1968 when a 15-year-old Michael fired a warning shot over the bows of a Royal Navy minesweeper that was trying to land on the platform.
This led to him and Roy appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on weapons charges.
However, the judge threw the case out as the shot was fired in international waters - a ruling used as a basis for Sealand’s independence every since.
Further trouble came in 1978, when a German entrepreneur, Alexander Achenbach, launched a coup following a row over money.
'I might die young or I might die old, but I will never die of boredom.'
Roy Bates
Roy and Michael rappelled from a helicopter dressed in combat fatigues and armed with a rifle in order to gain control.
But Michael was taken hostage and flown to the Netherlands, before being released after four days.
Achenbach’s lawyer, Genot Pütz, was in turn seized, and as a Sealand citizen charged with treason by Prince Roy, who sentenced him to life on the platform.
Not long after its foundation, rival pirate radio bosses from Radio Caroline tried to invade, forcing the Bateses to fight them off with Molotov cocktails. Pictured: Roy and Joan
The situation was relieved seven weeks later when Germany sent a diplomat from London to secure Pütz’s release.
Roy pardoned the lawyer and released him - using the fact that Sealand had received another country's diplomat as further evidence of its statehood.
Roy died in October 2012 at the age of 91, three and a half years before his wife.
He once said: 'I might die young or I might die old, but I will never die of boredom.'
Find out more: Principality of Sealand: Holding the Fort, by Michael Bates
