Sealand, A Wartime Man-Made Maunsell Sea Fort Situated Seven Miles Off The Coast Of Harwich

The Principality of Sealand, Roughs Tower, a wartime man-made Maunsell Sea Fort situated seven miles off the coast of Harwich, Essex, Friday 25th October 1968. Our picture shows Joan Bates, Princess Joan of Sealand and son Michael aged 16 looking out from the platform. Almost two years ago, the Bates family took over the former British naval defence platform and ever since, have been taking shifts in guarding it against invaders. Last week, a British judge ruled that the tower was outside British legal jurisdiction, which means that the Bates family have sovereignty over their island fort. (Photo by David Waterman/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)