Paddy Roy Bates

Paddy Roy Bates
Prince of Sealand
Reign 2 September 1967 - present[1]
Coronation None
Born 1922 (age 89–90)[1]
Predecessor Office created
Offspring Michael Bates
Dynasty Bates Family
Royal anthem E Mare Libertas

Paddy Roy Bates (born 1922[1]) is a former British pirate radio broadcaster and founder of the Principality of Sealand,[2] styling himself Prince Roy since 2 September 1967.[3]

Contents

Before Sealand

Bates served in the British Army, rising to the rank of Major.[4] He then became a fisherman before moving into pirate radio.[5]

In 1965 he ousted Radio City staff who had occupied Knock John Tower, a Maunsell Sea Fort (a World War II British naval defence platform). Using the military equipment that was left on the platform, Bates used an old United States Air Force radio beacon to broadcast his station. From Knock John Tower, he ran Radio Essex from 1965 to 1966 and succeeded in becoming the first pirate radio station to provide 24 hour entertainment. The station changed its name in October 1966 to Britain's Better Music Station (BBMS) after Bates had been convicted of violating Section One of the 1949 Wireless Telegraphy Act. Bates was then fined 100 Pounds for his continued illegal broadcasting. Due to insufficient funds, BBMS went off the air on Christmas Day of 1966.[5]

Formation and administration of Sealand

Bates moved his operation to the nearby Roughs Tower, another Maunsell Fort further out beyond the then boundary of the United Kingdom's territorial waters, but, despite having the necessary equipment, he never began broadcasting again.[5] On 14 August 1967, the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967 came into effect which forbade broadcasting from certain marine structures, namely platforms such as Bates's.[6] 19 days later, on 2 September 1967, Bates declared the independence of Roughs Tower and deemed it the Principality of Sealand.[3]

Ronan O'Rahilly of another pirate radio station, Radio Caroline, along with a small group of men, tried to storm the platform that Bates claimed. Bates and company used petrol bombs and guns to thwart O'Rahilly's attempt. As a result of the conflict, the British Royal Navy went to Roughs Tower and were the recipients of warning shots fired by Bates's son, Michael, when they entered what Bates claimed to be Sealand's territorial waters.[3]

Bates and his son were arrested and charged in a British court with weapons charges. The court threw out the case, claiming that the British court did not have jurisdiction over international affairs as Roughs Tower lay beyond the territorial waters of Britain.[3] Bates took this as de facto recognition of his country and seven years later issued a constitution, flag, and national anthem, among other things, for the Principality of Sealand.[1][7]

Invasion and recapture of Sealand

In 1977, a German business man, along with other Germans and Dutch, invaded Sealand and took Bates's son, Michael, hostage. Prince Roy and others then launched a counterattack in the early hours of the morning to recapture the fort. He held the German and Dutch men as prisoners of war. Because one had accepted a Sealand Passport, he was held and convicted of treason while the rest were released.[2] Germany then sent a diplomat to Britain to ask for intervention but Britain claimed they did not have jurisdiction. Germany then sent a diplomat to Sealand directly to negotiate the release of the prisoner.[3] He was released, and the act of diplomatic negotiation is claimed by Roy to be de facto recognition of Sealand, while Germany denies it.[4]

Current life

Bates is now retired and living in England. Prince Michael is now in charge of the administration of Sealand as Prince Regent, though he too lives on the mainland.[3]

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Monarchical styles of
Roy Bates,
Prince of Sealand
Reference style His Royal Highness
Spoken style Your Royal Highness
Alternative style Sir

Titles and styles

Full title as Prince

His Royal Highness Roy Bates, Prince of Sealand

References

  1. ^ a b c d Helen Nugent (8 January 2007). "World's tiniest country seeks new owners to fly the flag". The Times. Times Newspaper Ltd.. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b Strauss, Erwin. How to Start Your Own Country, Paladin Press, 1999, p. 132, cited in admin (20 September 2008). "A Brief History of Sealand". Historia Infinitas. Retrieved 11 May 2011
  3. ^ a b c d e f Ryan, John; Dunford, George; Sellars, Simon. Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations, Lonely Planet Publications, 2006, p. 9-12.
  4. ^ a b Bermingham, Finbarr (5 April 2011). "An Interview with Prince Michael of Sealand". Scrawls and Bawls. Retrieved 11 May 2011
  5. ^ a b c Edwards, Chris; Parkes, James (19 October 2000). "Radio Essex" and "Britains Better Music Station". Off Shore Echoes. Retrieved 11 May 2011
  6. ^ "Marine, &c., Broadcasting (Offences) Act 1967". The National Archives. Retrieved 11 May 2011
  7. ^ "Initial Challenge to Sealand's Sovereignty". Official Website of Sealand. Retrieved 11 May 2011
Regnal titles
New title
Sealand established
 Prince of Sealand
(unrecognised)
1967–present
with Prince Michael as Prince Regent (1999 - present)		 Succeeded by
Incumbent