I Am an Official Lord of Sealand: Are You?

I was recently elevated to become a Lord of the Principality of Sealand. You could be elevated one day too. That leaves the obvious question: what does that mean?

Can I lose my American citizenship? Can I be drafted? If Sealand is attacked again, will I have to supply troops?

Frankly, I don't know. Sealand is either the world's smallest nation, or the most recognized almost-a-nation. It depends on who you ask. It sits on the former royal fort Roughs Tower which is seven nautical miles from the United Kingdom's coast. But in 1968 the UK, which once had the fort, declared in court that Sealand was not under its jurisdiction. Apparently no nation has disputed Sealand's claim--our claim--to independent sovereignty, and some seem to have recognized it. But is that official recognition?

And does my noble title threaten my U. S. citizenship? Would it threaten yours if you were made a lord or lady of Sealand? By The Title of Nobility Clause, a provision in Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution, the United States does not grant noble titles. By The Titles of Nobility Amendment (TONA) to the Constitution, any U. S. citizen who receives a title from another nation ceases to be a U. S. citizen.

However, while The Title of Nobility Clause has been in force since the Constitution was approved, the amendment has yet to be ratified. Proposed in 1810, it has no expiration date, so could still technically be passed.

For those who think the idea of a 200+ year old amendment passing is absurd, consider the 27th amendment. This was one of the original 12 amendments proposed in 1789--the 10 that quickly passed became known as the Bill of Rights. The 27th amendment , which regulates when congressional salaries can be raised or lowered, passed in 1992. That's 203 years after it was proposed. So it is possible my America citizenship could be threatened eventually.

Could I be called in to fight in the Sealand military, or as a lord be asked to supply troops?

Sealand has dealt with threats from foreign powers. It had a scuffle with the British Navy in 1968, and there was a minor shooting incident in 1990. In 1978, Sealand was attacked and the son of Prince Roy Bates was kidnapped. A man who claimed to be prime minister of Sealand hired Dutch and German mercenaries to attack with speedboats and helicopters, and took Prince Michael.

The leader of the attack,a German citizen with a Sealand passport,was soon captured and held by Sealand authorities on a charge of treason. Prince Michael was freed. The German government sent a diplomat and eventually negotiated the release of the self-claimed prime minister.

But that was over 40 years ago. How many nations can you name that have not been attacked in 40 years?

So I won't lose any sleep over it. For now, I'm excited to be a dual citizen of the United States of America and the Principality of Sealand. And I promise I won't get all uppity and petty about it. We nobles are expected, after all, to act noble.

Visit the official website of the Principality of Sealand at http://www.sealandgov.org