The Principality of Hutt River is a 75 square kilometre, privately-owned wheat property north of Geraldton, Western Australia, that claims to have seceded from Australia in 1970 after a row over low wheat production quotas
The Principality of Hutt River is a micronation in Australia. The principality claims to be an independent sovereign state and to have achieved legal status on 21 April 1970. The principality is located 517 km (354 mi) north of Perth, near the town of Northampton in the state of Western Australia. It has an area of 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi), making it larger than several independent countries.
Map of the Principality of Hutt River
The Principality is a regional tourist attraction and issues its own currency, stamps and passports (which are not recognised by the Australian Government or any other government). The micronation was founded on 21 April 1970 by Leonard Casley, who declared his farm to be an independent country under the name Hutt River Province. He attempted to secede from Australia over a dispute surrounding wheat production quotas. A few years later, Casley began styling himself Prince Leonard and granting family members royal titles, although he did not include the word "principality" in his country's official name until 2006.
Prince Leonard of the Principality of Hutt River
The Principality consists of undulating farmland well covered in places with a wealth of shrubs and glorious wildflowers in season.
The principality has its own royal family, including a crown prince, Ian, who is the Grand Duke of Hutt and the prime minister, and an honours list which regularly appoints new knights and dames, whose appointment is no longer done from within the Order of Australia.
Regalia from left to right
Dame Illustrious Order of Merit, Lord and Knight Royal Order, Duke and Knight Royal Order, Earl Royal Order, Dame Illustrious order of Merit
H.R.H. Prince Leonard, a keen supporter of both the Arts and Conservation, has named parts of the Principality with such identities as Lake Beginning, Mount Secession, Lake Serenity and Wild Boar Gorge. His town site, Nain, has been developed with many buildings to provide facilities for the tourists who visit in their thousands each year.
Currency
The Royal Mint of Hutt River was established under the control of the Treasury of Hutt River in early 1976.
Initially in those hectic years immediately following the secession it was realised that it's own currency was required so the Treasury had the task of issuing the first Hutt River Money in 1974 with the release of a set of paper banknotes in denominations of 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 notes
The Hutt River Principality currency bank notes
In 1975 Cabinet decided that there was a need to issue coinage to exist alongside the banknotes and this led to the formation of the Royal Mint of Hutt River which saw it's formation as well as it's first coins minted in 1976.
Since those first coins in 1976 the Royal Mint has been responsible for the minting of over 200 coins.
Hutt River Principality coinage
Whilst the coins were originally minted solely for circulation and use within the Principality, collectors around the globe very quickly began to seek out coins to add to their collections so in order that their needs and wants be met, Hutt began to produce coins not just for circulations but were also careful to produce Proof versions and various presentations to satisfy those collectors. the Hutt Mint has been commended on a number of occasions for it's issue of high quality collector pieces in precious metals such as Gold, silver and Palladium.
2007 Hutt River Principality Armorial Coin Set
Today very many collectors around the globe have Hutt coins proudly in their collections and the collectable/investment value of the currency is easily shown by watching the sums that both earlier and current issued coins are bringing at auction and on various on-line auction houses on the internet. Hutt coinage is much in demand by collectors.
Information of all new issues is eagerly sought after by numismatic magazines and scholars around the world so new issues are well placed within various periodicals and coin catalogues around the world.
Postal Service
The Royal Hutt River Postal Service was established to provide the necessary service of mail delivery and dispatch within the Principality and was one of the earliest government services established following secession.
Hutt River Principality Postage Stamps
As detailed in the transcript of the court findings below, mail has been serviced by the Principality's Post Office since it's inception and the Post Office operates under the authority of the Royal Hutt River Postal Service.
Principality of Hutt River postage stamps make an exotic addition to any stamp collection. The first stamps issued by the Hutt River Province was in 1971 and the principality has had annual stamp issues ever since. Because they are often sought after by collectors, at any given time there are dozens of stamps to be found on eBay.
Principality of Hutt River first day cover stamp collection
Themes of the stamps varies from birds, landscapes, international events or paintings. The stamps are widely used, both for local mail within the Principality and for international mail.
The Principality of Hutt River gets the royal nod
The Principality of Hutt River has finally received an official nod from Australia’s head of state.
While it has never been recognised by the government and is subject to state and Commonwealth laws, Hutt River Province received an official nod in a letter from Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.
Prince Leonard, the sovereign of Hutt River received a letter with the Queen’s good wishes on the anniversary of the principality seceding from Australia 46 years ago, on April 21, 1970.
Royal Letter to Prince Leonard
The letter from Buckingham Palace is signed by Mrs Sonia Bonici, Senior Correspondence Officer. It reads in part:
“I am to convey Her Majesty’s good wishes to you and to all concerned for a most enjoyable and successful celebration on 23rd and 24th of April to mark the forty-sixth anniversary of the Principality of Hutt River.”
The Queen was replying to a letter from Prince Leonard congratulating her on her 90th birthday. The sovereign of the Principality of Hutt River himself turned 90 in 2015.
The full letter from Buckingham Palace
Prince Leonard abdicates his throne
In February 2017 at the age of 91 and after ruling for 45 years, Prince Leonard abdicated the throne, citing ill health.
He’ll hand the crown to his youngest son Prince Graeme, whose current titles include Minister of State and Education, and Grand Master of the Order of Wisdom and Learning.
Prince Casley said being the sovereign for more than half of his life had been rewarding at times and difficult at others, and his health had been going downhill for some time.
“I feel that it is time to hand over at a time when I am still around and thus able to offer help and support to my successor as he settles in to the position,” he said in a statement.
When asked why the reigning monarch had bucked the royal tradition of passing on power to the eldest offspring, Prince Graeme joked he believed he was his father’s favourite — just don’t tell the others.
Sources:
http://www.principality-hutt-river.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Hutt_River
http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/hri/stamps.html
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