One of the oldest and certainly the most famous micro-state in the world was born back in 1967. A couple of British subjects simply could not resist the temptation to turn the former gun platform into their personal paradise: Roy Bates and Ronan O'Reilly have achieved what most people do not even dream of. And do you know what is most interesting? You too can become a citizen of Sealand, a freedom-loving principality off the coast of Great Britain.
Platform for life
During World War II, Great Britain did its best to fortify the coast. As part of this program, several platforms were built on the approaches. The Rafs Tower site housed an impressive garrison of 200 men and several anti-aircraft guns. Only in the hustle and bustle of the British erected the very Rafs Tower outside their territorial waters, which served as an impetus for the further development of the situation.
Amusement park
Much later, in 1966, former warriors Paddy Roy Bates and Ronan O'Reilly looked for an abandoned platform to create an amusement park. The partners' plans were prevented by a quarrel: Bates kicked Ronan off the platform and defended it for a while.
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Pirate state
The winner did not build any amusement park. Instead, it was planned to locate Britain's Better Music Station as a pirate station, but the matter did not go beyond the plans. After living on the platform for several months, Roy suddenly announced the creation of a sovereign state. On September 2, 1967, the whole world was amazed to learn about the emergence of a new principality - Roy named it Sealand.
Problems with the authorities
Of course, the British authorities were not going to stand aside and give their property to some rogue. In early 1968, two military boats approached the platform, which were met with shots. Bloodshed was avoided: England decided to just sue Bates, because formally he remained a British subject.
Lawyers' tricks
The logical way out of this situation would be for Great Britain to expand its territorial waters. On September 30, 1987, this was officially announced: now Sealand fell under the jurisdiction of the country. However, the clever prince reacted to the new threat immediately - he also announced the expansion of the territory of the principality, to which the British snobs decided not to react. And that was a big mistake: in fact, for the rest of the world, Britain seemed to recognize Bates' right to sovereign control of its platform.
Scam with documents
For international crime, the existence of Sealand was a real boon. In 1997, Interpol came across a syndicate that was selling fake Sealand documents. Diplomatic passports, driver's licenses, ordinary civil documents - in Europe, with such papers they managed to buy weapons, open bank accounts and arrange whole scams. The operation to block the forged documents took several years and cost Interpol about $ 10 million.
Relentless element
For a long time, Sealand flourished. But on June 23, 2006, the history of this strange state almost came to an end. A sudden fire destroyed almost all of the structures on the platform, and it took the Sealands six months to rebuild the infrastructure.
Monarchy
A constitutional monarchy has been established in the principality. Until recently, the head was Prince Roy I Bates, and now he was succeeded by his heir, Michael I Bates. There is a full-fledged constitution here, adopted on September 25, 1975. Life control is exercised by three ministries: Interior, Foreign, and Telecommunications and Technology.
Savor
You shouldn't think that Sealand is just one of the invented states. It has everything you need for a normal life: the country issues its own stamps, there is the Sealand Anglican Church and even its own football team. The latter, however, has not yet been recognized by any federation.
General-admiral-prince-president
After Roy's death, his only son, Michael Bay, became his heir. True, the politician did not move to the platform and prefers to spend time in the UK. In 2012, he was given the hereditary title of Admiral General of Sealand, Prince Michael I Bates.