Sealand

In 1967, retired army major and self-made millionaire Paddy Roy Bates proclaimed himself ruler of the Principality of on a World War II Maunsell Sea Fort in the North Sea, off the East Anglian Coast – and began the peculiar story of the world’s most stubborn micronation. Having fought off attacks from the British government and armed mercenaries for half a century – and thwarted an attempted coup that saw the Prince Regent taken hostage – the self-proclaimed independent nation still stands. It has its own constitution, national flag and anthem, currency, and passports – and offers the esteemed titles of ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’ to its loyal patrons.

Incorporating original interviews with surviving members of the principality’s royal family, recounts the outrageous attempt to build a sovereign kingdom by a family of rogue, larger-than-life adventurers on an isolated platform in the freezing waters of the North Sea.