Latest news with #RoyBates
India.com
13-05-2025
- India.com
World's smallest country which is home to only 27 people, not recognised by any country due to...
Smallest country in the world- Sealand Smallest country in the world: You must have heard about Vatican City, an European city known for being the smallest country in the world but have you herd about Sealand? Sealand is a micro-nation located in the North Sea, known for being the smallest country in the world without any sovereign recognition. Although the status of Sealand as a sovereign state is disputed, it is known across the world for being the smallest country in the world. About 6.5 miles off the coast of Suffolk, England, the country has been accused of being a haven for pirates and hackers. Here are all the details you need to know about the micro-nation, known for being the unrecognized smallest country in the world. Unique sovereignty of Sealand Talking of the sovereignty of the nation, the neigbouring country of Sealand, the United Kingdom does not recognise Sealand as a country, nor does any other nation. However, readers would find it interesting to note that Sealand has its own flag, currency, and a government. 'Upon the declaration of independence, the founding Bates family raised the Sealand flag, pledging freedom and justice to all who lived under it. Following this, Sealand created everything you would expect from an independent country: a functioning government, passports, permanent population, constitution, currency, stamps and the means to defend our sovereignty. Today, the Bates family governs our small state as hereditary royal rulers', the website of the government of the country said about the country. Government of Sealand In 1967, former British Army Major Roy Bates took control of Sealand and proclaimed it an independent sovereign nation. He assumed the title Prince Roy of Sealand and began issuing his own passports and postage stamps. Roy Bates, the first ruler of Sealand, passed away in 2012 and was succeeded by his son, Michael Bates. Michael launched a cockle fishing business that exports seafood to Spain. Interestingly, in 1978, he got married aboard a helicopter over Sealand. Note: Although the Vatican City is officially known as the smallest country of the world, Sealand has a much smaller area but it is not recognised by any country.
News18
12-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
GK: Which Country Has A Population Of Just 27 People?
Last Updated: A tiny self-declared nation with just 27 people has its own currency and English as its official language, surprising many with its continued existence and identity When it comes to the world's smallest countries, Vatican City often tops the list. But beyond the usual names lies a fascinating world of tiny, lesser-known nations, some so small, they make even Vatican City seem spacious. One of the most curious examples is Sealand, a self-proclaimed micronation in the North Sea near England, boasting a population of just 27. Sealand, where English is spoken and the local currency is the Sealand Dollar, is a fascinating yet little-known entity. Although this currency is not accepted internationally, the existence of such a small population is astonishing to many. Sealand was originally a port built by the British army during the Second World War to defend against German forces. After being abandoned, it was claimed on September 2, 1967 by British citizen Major Paddy Roy Bates and his family, who declared it an independent micronation. Over the years, various individuals have ruled Sealand, with Roy Bates being proclaimed king on October 9, 2012. Following his death, his son Michael succeeded him as ruler. Despite Sealand not being officially recognized by any other country, its status as a micronation remains. It has its own flag, capital, passport, currency, and royal family. Therefore, if asked about a country with only 27 residents, one can confidently name Sealand, bearing in mind that it is a self-declared micronation and not officially recognized by the global community.
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The Principality of Sealand and its American football team
As a former World War Two sea fort, it is used to crashing waves, bitter winds and passing you are less likely to associate with the Principality of Sealand, a self-declared state 12km (eight miles) off the Essex and Suffolk coast, is an American football Sealand Seahawks, every match is an away this "micronation" has a surface area of just 0.4 hectares (one acre), there is no room for a fact, its land is solely contained to a former anti-aircraft platform in the North Sea, lived on by up to 300 Royal Navy personnel at the height of World War laid abandoned until a former British Army major Roy Bates occupied it in 1966, proclaiming himself king and giving birth to the micronation of it is ruled by his son, Prince how does this solitary, blasted-looking structure even have a sports team?Those logistics were all figured out in a Belfast bar back in 2021."I was a few Guinnesses deep and I came up with this great idea," says Mike Ireland, the team's had come across Sealand when purchasing his dad a lordship online as a joke."I said 'Let's represent this micronation that my dad is a lord of', so I approached Sealand's royal family."I don't think they took me very seriously at first." Mr Ireland, 42, has played American football since 2005, representing Chester and the Police Service of Northern managed to "cobble together 50 lads" for Sealand's first game, getting the micronation's backing after initial doubts."No-one thought it was going to be a serious event, but if someone says I can't do something, I'm going to do it," explains the police officer, who lives in Cornwall but grew up in the north-west of team's one-off matches, which take place against domestic sides, raise money for charity and empower both women and older players to lace up their boots."We have lads in their 50s who are just happy to carry on playing; I want to make this accessible for everybody," says Mr Ireland. The Seahawks also have a "nationals" side, full of promising young players ready to make a name for lack of home ground is used by Mr Ireland as an excuse to travel, with the side's escapades including trips to grounds across the UK and overseas - as well as a Popworld nightclub."Our most recent game was in Leicester, but we also play regularly in Bristol and Milton Keynes," Mr Ireland says."In fact, in Milton Keynes we have a scary good relationship with the local Popworld, as we all love dancing to Abba and drinking cocktails." About 200 people have signed up so far, from "superstar quarterbacks" to players in their 50s wanting to "prat about".Players are only signed if they are recommended by those already involved, and there is just one rule: "Don't be an idiot."Mr Ireland explains: "If you recommend someone and they're an idiot, then they get kicked out and you get kicked out for recommending them. It keeps people honest, I find."To date, only a few people have been shown the the ruler of Sealand has got in on the antics."Prince Michael came out to Palma to watch the nationals," Mr Ireland recalls. "He got on the beers with the boys and he had a grand old time."The [Bates] family are fully on board now. At first they weren't sure what to make of it, but now they realise it's a bit of a laugh; a bit of a giggle." Mr Ireland admits his passion for the "teeny, tiny micronation" splits opinion."It falls into two sides. There's the people who go 'That's really nice; it's lovely' and then there's the people who say 'It's just a jolly on the beers'," he says."But I live and breathe it. I'm proud that I can do something to give back, as American football has been great to me."I can now do something nice for other people, giving them the chance to play overseas and introducing them to people they'd never have met otherwise."Yet despite his impressive patriotism, Mr Ireland has yet to set foot on the rusting country he proudly is a dream he hopes one day will be realised."Otherwise I'll just swim there, and maybe they'll chuck me a rope," he says. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
