RIP, Prince of Sealand

October 12, 2012 12:49 PM

In his 45th year on the throne, Prince Roy Bates has passed away at the age of 91. The seeds of his nation were planted with the establishment of pirate station Radio Essex aboard the Knock John Tower offshore platform. Legal troubles forced Bates to move his operations further into international waters, claiming Roughs Tower for himself, and establishing the micronation of Sealand. He is survived by his wife and children, including his son, Prince Michael Bates, who has been acting ruler the nation of Sealand since the 1990s.
posted by AzraelBrown (24 comments total)

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posted by bottlebrushtree at 1:09 PM on October 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I love this life.
posted by Melismata at 1:13 PM on October 12, 2012

Previously, many many times.
posted by gertzedek at 1:14 PM on October 12, 2012

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Sealand Forever.
posted by Krazor at 1:19 PM on October 12, 2012

So this works for them, apparently. As in, a British court ruled it has no jurisdiction over Sealand, and Germany once sent a diplomat. Awesome.
posted by cmoj at 1:21 PM on October 12, 2012

Happy to see the nation surviving. Slightly disappointed by its patrilineal monarchy.
posted by cthuljew at 1:23 PM on October 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

I don't know if one generation is enough to set the precedent for patrilineage.
posted by cmoj at 1:28 PM on October 12, 2012

Prince Leonard isn't looking too crash hot either just celebrating his 87th birthday. And you know what they say. These things come in threes.

RIP Prince Roy. You were an enigma.
posted by Talez at 1:33 PM on October 12, 2012

Happy to see the nation surviving. Slightly disappointed by its patrilineal monarchy.

They had a Prime Minister, but he was kicked out following an unsuccessful coup attempt. Could make any royalist wary, really.
posted by Navelgazer at 1:34 PM on October 12, 2012

They had a Prime Minister, but he was kicked out following an unsuccessful coup attempt. Could make any royalist wary, really.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
posted by scottymac at 1:41 PM on October 12, 2012 [1 favorite]

So is this the guy that my fave Goodies episode Pirate Radio Goodies is based on?

Then bless him, and may he rest in peace.

Boom!
posted by droplet at 1:51 PM on October 12, 2012

Although I vacated up my role as secretary of state of Ladonia years ago, I will miss this fellow. RIP
posted by parmanparman at 2:21 PM on October 12, 2012

Happy to see the nation surviving. Slightly disappointed by its patrilineal monarchy.

Switching to a different legal model this early in the game is usually inadvisable, as it pisses off your vassals.
posted by maus at 3:11 PM on October 12, 2012

These towers have such evocative names - and a little creepy.

Vale Prince Roy Bates, I knew nothing about him.
posted by mattoxic at 4:31 PM on October 12, 2012

The Commonwealth of Meatmachinia, meanwhile, celebrates its 3-year anniversary next week!
posted by sonic meat machine at 4:37 PM on October 12, 2012

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posted by dragonplayer at 9:16 PM on October 12, 2012

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posted by Goofyy at 2:12 AM on October 13, 2012

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posted by El Brendano at 4:48 AM on October 13, 2012

Odd thought: where will Prince Roy be buried? At sea, I presume, considering the limited real estate on Sealand.
posted by easily confused at 6:07 AM on October 13, 2012

Odd thought: where will Prince Roy be buried? At sea, I presume, considering the limited real estate on Sealand.

Didn't he spend his last few decades living in England?
posted by acb at 6:34 AM on October 13, 2012

In Spain, from what I've read: but would he --- as both the Prince of Sealand and a citizen who fought for the UK --- choose to be buried in Spain? Doubtful.
posted by easily confused at 7:35 AM on October 13, 2012

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posted by MrBobaFett at 9:42 AM on October 13, 2012

The Guardian's obit is not quite so full of praise - he doesn't sound like the kind of person you wanted to get on the wrong side of...

I like that following a split there is a Sealand government-in-exile in Switzerland.
posted by kerplunk at 9:46 AM on October 13, 2012

Death of a Data Haven: cypherpunks, WikiLeaks, and the world's smallest nation
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:16 AM on October 15, 2012