Located just a few miles off the Essex coast lies the world's smallest 'country' - the Principality of Sealand.

While not officially a sovereign state in its own right, the offshore platform is recognised as a micronation just 12 miles away from Essex and Suffolk.

Formerly known as HM Fort Roughs, the military fortress was built by the British government in 1943 to defend against possible invasions from Germany but it was decommissioned following the Second World War.

Since 1967, the platform has been occupied and governed by the family of Roy Bates, a pirate radio broadcaster who planned on revitalising his dormant radio station there.

Sealand now has its own royal family, constitution, currency and even stamps - and it's only 0.004 square kilometers in size.

A history of warfare and debate

HM Fort Roughs was constructed in 1943

During WW2, the British government built several forts in the North Sea to defend against potential German invasion - one of these was HM Fort Roughs.

It sits in the North Sea, slightly north of the estuary region of the River Thames on the east coast of England.

Officially, the fort was built illegally due to it being located within international waters.

It is also based around seven nautical miles from the coast, more than double the then-permitted three-mile range of territorial waters.

Between 150-300 people would occupy the fort during the war but, after the last full-time personnel left in 1956, the fort was abandoned.

Because of the illegal construction in international waters, the fort should have been destroyed. Others located nearby were pulled down, but HM Fort Roughs stayed standing.

From 'Knock John' to 'Sealand'

Roy (left) with his son Michael on Sealand in 1967

In the early 1960s, Roy Bates, a former major in the British army, established a radio station situated offshore on an abandoned ex naval fort called 'Knock John'.

The plan was to bypass the radio broadcasting restrictions of the time, which allowed little more than content from the BBC.

Roy’s station, Radio Essex, and others like it, were known as 'pirate' radio stations and were much loved by the British public as they supplied more informal content that the BBC wouldn't offer.

Roy fought an unsuccessful legal battle with the UK government, which questioned the legality of his occupation of Knock John. It was ruled that the fort fell under UK law.

That's when HM Fort Roughs came into play. It was abandoned, identical in construction to the Knock John and, crucially, it lay outside the three-mile limit to which the UK jurisdiction extended.

It's just 12 miles off the east coast

Roy decided to occupy Roughs Tower on Christmas eve 1966, with the intention of revitalising his dormant radio station, but this was until he came up with a different plan.

Instead, he declared the fort as the independent state of 'Sealand'.

The following year, Roy, accompanied by his wife Joan, son Michael, daughter Penelope - along with several friends and followers - declared the Principality of Sealand.

The family marked the founding of the self-claimed country by raising a new flag, and on Joan's birthday, gave her the official title of 'Princess Joan'.

Sealand's royal family was born.

The family appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court

Roy's wife, Joan, was named 'Princess Joan' in 1967

The British Government soon became aware of what was happening, and sent military to destroy all remaining forts located in international waters.

The Bates family witnessed explosions throughout the surrounding waters that sent the structures hundreds of feet in the air, and they watched as the debris floated past Sealand.

Roy was still a British citizen, meaning a summons was issued under the UK firearms act, and in November 1968 he found himself in the dock of Chelmsford Crown Court.

There was much argument, and laws dating back to the 17th century were called upon, but the judge concluded that the UK courts had no jurisdiction over the matter.

According to Sealand's official website, this was its first de facto recognition.

The smallest 'country' in the world

You can become a member of the Sealand royal family

The Principality of Sealand is a micronation - a small entity that claims to be an independent nation or sovereign state but isn't officially recognised as one by a major government.

Sealand's national motto is E Mare, Libertas (From the Sea, Freedom), which it claims reflects its enduring struggle for liberty through the years.

The Bates family governs the land as hereditary royal rulers, each member with his, or her, own royal title.

Sealand also has its own constitution, composed of a preamble and seven articles. The occupiers also issued passports to its nationals, created an official currency and even commissioned its own stamps.

And you can be a part of it.

How to become a member of the Sealand royal family

England cricket hero Ben Stokes was given the title of Lord of Sealand

Through the official Sealand website, you can purchase your own Sealand noble title. England cricketer Ben stokes (pictured above) is just one person who has the title Lord of Sealand.

The options are:

  • Own a piece of Sealand territory - £19.99
  • Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness - £29.99
  • Sir or Dame (Knighthood) - £99.99
  • Count or Countess - £199.99
  • Duke or Duchess - £499.99

For each option you will receive an official certificate detailing your new title.

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