The story of the improbable micronation of Sealand

What’s cooler than owning your own private island? Owning your own private principality, of course. Lynn Houghton discovers the bonkers tale behind the little kingdom

The micronation of Sealand (Michael Bates)

Remember pirate radio? And its heyday in the early 1960s? Ocean going vessels or abandoned sea forts off the coast of England were used to broadcast a daily diet of rock/pop music in contravention of the BBC monopoly. These floating stations, their playlists and “off the wall” presenters were hugely popular with listeners.

Step up Paddy Roy Bates, a retired British army major and engaging entrepreneur. Bates set himself up as DJ supremo of Radio Essex on HM Fort Knock John, a disused anti-aircraft platform built during the Second World War off the coast of, you guessed it, Essex.

With a grappling hook and rope, he hoisted himself up onto the platform of Fort Knock John and singlehandedly evicted the pirate broadcaster in residence. Bates subsequently lived on this isolated outpost from 1965-1966, subsisting on tinned food, pumping out tunes 24 hours a day. But the whole operation was stymied when he was fined £100 for a violation of the 1949 Wireless Telephony Act.

Michael and Roy Bates (Michael Bates)

Not one to be put off, Bates decided to abandon one outpost for another and took up residence at HM Fort Roughs, another deserted platform, even further out to sea – so far out it lay in international waters.

Broadcasting changed in 1967 so that the operation of offshore radio stations became illegal. This spelled the end of illicit pirate broadcasts and Bates’ plans. But the turn of events led to a new scheme.

Bates declared the abandoned platform he was inhabiting as “conquered”. He pronounced the fort an independent principality, named it Sealand, and nominated himself its sovereign ruler. Soon after, he came up with a motto: E Mare, Libertas or “From the sea, freedom”.

It was little more than a deck (less than half the width of a football pitch) set on two concrete towers 60 feet above the water, but Sealand was now officially a micronation. As all the necessary and legal paperwork had been filed, there wasn’t much that Her Majesty’s Government could do about it.

It was me that was held prisoner for four days. But I was also the first man down the rope from the helicopter when we retook the fortress

However, having a mini-Cuba off their eastern shore did not please the powers that be. And when Bates’ young son Michael, aged 14, fired warning shots across the bow of a British Port Authority Ship, both Michael and Roy were charged with firearms offences and ordered to appear at the Crown Court of Chelmsford. Then came the twist in the tale: though both gents were British citizens, the judge found he had no authority to rule on the incident as it had happened at sea, beyond the UK’s borders.

The ruling confirmed for Bates that Sealand was indeed an independent nation, even if not formally recognised.

Fast forward to today and Prince Michael has inherited Sealand and is now its sovereign ruler. The micronation has its own coat of arms, a flag, currency and even passports (though for international security reasons these are no longer used). There is a Facebook page, Twitter account and a YouTube channel. Michael currently resides in Essex while sons Prince Liam and Prince James look after the day-to-day running of the principality.

The family on Sealand after the attempted coup (Michael Bates)

So, is it as cool as it sounds to have one’s own kingdom? Not always, according to the heir apparent. There have been more than a few skirmishes: in 1977, a Dutch and German consortium lured Roy to Austria to discuss building a casino, duty free shop and apartments as an extension of the platform. But when no one turned up for the scheduled meetings, Bates smelled a rat. He was able to contact a skipper that was near Sealand at the time and from him learned that a large helicopter had landed there a few days prior. A contingent of men had taken over and even held a hostage – Roy’s son, Michael.

“It was me that was held prisoner for four days. But I was also the first man down the rope from the helicopter when we retook the fortress,” says Michael defiantly.

Michael was held for several days before being put on a fishing boat, sent off to the Netherlands and eventually handed over to his parents. In short order, Bates hired his own helicopter and proceeded to wrestle back his fortified castle.

My father didn’t know the meaning of giving in. He didn’t understand the concept of not being able to do something he set his mind to

Surprisingly, the person who headed up this coup had formerly been in league with Bates to win Sealand official recognition. Achenbach, a German national, wrote a constitution and sent it to 150 countries, plus the United Nations, with the request that it be ratified. (Foreign leaders concluded that the platform was not big enough to constitute a living space, nor was it part of the Earth’s surface.)

Bates died in 2012. When asked about his memories of this larger-than-life character, Michael responds: “My father didn’t know the meaning of giving in. He didn’t understand the concept of not being able to do something he set his mind to. Life was one great adventure after another. He is the only person I know that enjoyed war.”

What stands out on Sealand’s Facebook page is that, for a nominal sum, anyone can be “knighted” and become a sir or a lady of Sealand. A duke or duchess title can also be purchased, though it comes with a higher price tag. Included with each designation is a certificate of authentication; Michael got the idea after finding out that French kings in the 13th century would sell titles to finance their military campaigns.

Roy and wife Joan on Sealand (Michael Bates)

Only those who have been given permission from Prince Michael and have specific business with the principality are able to visit Sealand. Access is strictly forbidden otherwise. A few well known celebrities and high profile media though have been invited: Ben Fogle and Rob Rinder to name two. “However,” says Michael, “Owning a share means you are a member of the Sealand community. Part of the adventure.”

It’s not surprising to learn that Hollywood has come knocking. Apparently, more than one producer has approached the prince about making a film about Sealand. But no deal has yet been negotiated nor contract signed.

This tiny nation may yet appear on the silver screen: watch this space.