Sealand North Sea

"Holding The Fort" written by Prince Michael of the Principality of Sealand

The book uncovers the truth behind Michael's kidnap by armed terrorists, his family setting up their own island nation, government sieges, top secret government documents and multiple attempts to bring an end to the Sealand dream. The book includes previously unseen photos from his family's personal collection.

The true story of his unbelievable adventures over the last 50 years on Sealand.

“The story of Sealand is stranger than fiction, better than Hollywood and more surreal than Dali” - Ben Fogle (Adventurer, author and broadcaster)

"When a story features sawn-off shotguns, dawn helicopter raids, pistol whippings, temperamental generators, shady tax accountants, devious gangsters and at least one flying headbutt to the bridge of the nose, 'romantic' probably isn't the word that springs instantly to mind. Especially when at the heart of that story is an outwardly charmless, forbidding structure way out in the cold and dark of the North Sea.Yet the story of the Principality of Sealand is a patently romantic one. It's a classic case of the underdog kicking against authority and winning; a heartwarming narrative of battling the odds that's grounded in good old- fashioned British eccentricity. It's a riproaring yarn, a classic Boy's Own tale related here by the boy himself, Michael of Sealand, with verve, wit and panache. But look beneath the surface, beyond the guns and dastardly plots, and you learn from these pages that Sealand is also a story of family; of loyalty, respect and devotion flowing between generations and filtered through this tiny principality off the Essex coast; channeled through the dreams, hopes and stubborn stand against seemingly impossible odds of the Bates family.The story of Sealand is like an Ealing comedy crossed with a Bond film and scripted by John Le Carré. It's a story that has often been swathed in myth and blighted by rumour, but here, at last, is the definitive tale from the man best qualified to tell it. And he tells it very well indeed." - Charlie Connelly. Charlie is a bestselling writer and award-winning broadcaster. His books include Attention all shipping.

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We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has made donations through our site or ordered from our online store. We have been making developments to the Principality, as well as essential maintenance. ..

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The World War Two Thames Navy forts where the first forts to be set in place in the North Sea, and Sealand at the time known as fort U1 was the very first of them. Designed by Guy Maunsell the fort was put in place on the Rough sands to guard the approaches to the Thames Estuary and the entrance to Harwich harbour, some eight miles away. ..

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During the Second World War as a young Major in the infantry, Prince Roy commanded a compliment of men in the 'Eighth India division' of the British Army. He was immensely proud to have served with the Gurkhas at the battle of Monte Casino, described as the most impregnable fortress in Europe, guarding the gateway to Rome from the allied advance. Over this period he became blood brother to a Gurkha and throughout his life always spoke very highly of their bravery and tenacity. ..

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Liberland is situated at an unclaimed parcel of land on the western bank of the Danube river between Croatia and Serbia. ..

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Every time I see this picture of my son Liam, myself and Kenton Cool outside a London restaurant holding up the signed and dated Sealand flag it makes me immensely proud. I was born in 1952 and was less than a year old when Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing became the first mountaineers to conquer Everest. It was still hugely talked about in my school years as something of massive national pride. In 2013 Kenton achieved what they said was impossible. 'The three peak challenge' along the way he raised the Sealand flag at the summit of Everest. I'm sure when my parents designed the simple red white and black flag back in 1967 raising it above Sealand in a Declaration of Independence to the world 2nd of September of that year they could never have imagined the places it would visit. My father would have considered Kenton a "Proper bloke" ..

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With mothers day just around the corner (on this side of the world) my thoughts go to my mother now in her twilight years who stood by my father through all his adventures in pirate radio the Principality of Sealand and many more besides. My father was a rip roaring man who feared no one and nothing but with my mother he was a romantic loving man who never stopped loving her to the day he died. His greatest romantic gesture was to declare Sealand a principality so that he could give her the title of Princess on her birthday on the second of September 1967. ..

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The Principality of Sealand has always prided itself on promoting the right to freedom. It was Prince Roy’s vision for starting the Principality in the first place. ..

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