Hutt River, Principality of

The Principality of Hutt River, often referred to by its former name, Hutt River Province Principality was an Australian micronation located on a large farming property several hundred kilometres north of Perth. Hutt River was founded on 21 April 1970 by farmer Leonard George Casley (Prince Leonard I) when he and his associates proclaimed their secession from the state of Western Australia. Despite lacking official recognition from Australia and other sovereign nation-states, the Province claims that its independence has been acknowledged in several documents originating in the Australian government.