Baron of Sealand

Henceforth, I wish to be addressed as "The Baron".

I've been officially made a baron of the world's smallest country, the Principality of Sealand, a tiny and fiercely independent micronation off the coast of England.

My documents arrived in the mail this week, posted from Sealand with an official Sealandic postage stamp. The paperwork has been signed by Prince Michael himself, and I've been entered into the principality's registry of nobility.

So, yes, it's official! I'm officially a baron of a very small European country!

my title was signed and presented by Prince Michael of the Principality of Sealand

It just comes down to whether or not you accept Sealand - a small offshore platform which was abandoned after the Second World War - as a sovereign nation. They have declared themselves independent since 1967. Due to a series of complicated diplomatic entanglements, Sealand (technically outside of UK territorial waters) considers itself to have de facto recognition from both the United Kingdom and Germany. Although it is not (yet) a member of the United Nations, nor recognized by any world power, the tiny country maintains a large world presence. It's probably the world's most famous micronation.

the flag of Sealand

The country's founder, Prince Roy, has since passed, and the principality is now ruled by his son, Prince Michael. Sealand continues to bestow titles of nobility upon its supporters, and I'm very pleased to be one of the newest.

After all, what is nobility? As long as I'm recognized by at least one country (Sealand), shouldn't that be enough?

Sealand's coat of arms

In the words of Lord Varys from Game of Thrones; "Power resides where men believe it resides." What makes a title from, say, Queen Elizabeth II any more legitimate than the one bestowed upon me by Prince Michael of Sealand?

the badge of the Peerage of Sealand

Sealand has a territory (Rough's Tower), is located within international waters outside the jurisdiction of any other nation as decided by the United Nations, has its own royal family, issues its own postage stamps and coinage, and has protected its independence for over fifty years. Even if it's not considered to be an "official" country, I still think it's pretty cool. It's a fun thing to be a part of, even just for the novelty of it.

https://www.sealandgov.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand