Declaration of Sovereignty

The Principality of Lyonesse is a Sovereign State and has been since July 1, 2012.  We are entitled to the rights of a Sovereign State, which includes participating in all international organizations and maintaining normal diplomatic relations with all other Sovereign States. 
     Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States defines a state as possessing a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. We meet all these criteria. We have a Sovereign government exercising effective jurisdiction over well-defined territories with permanent residents, and we are able to enter into diplomatic relations with other sovereign states. Article 3 of the same Montevideo Convention specifically says that "the political existence of the State is independent of recognition by other States." 
     We are a Sovereign State and as such we are entitled to normal international standing and participation according to international law. In accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognizes that all peoples have the right of self-determination. The right of self-determination is of particular importance because its realization is an essential condition for the effective guarantee and observance of individual human rights and for the promotion and strengthening of those rights. Article 1 further states that all peoples may freely "determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development". With this in mind, then, the Principality of Lyonesse claims its right to sovereignty. One of the greatest powers that a nation possesses is the right to exercise inherent sovereign authority over its members and territory and that of their collective beliefs as a people. The Principality of Lyonesse pledges itself to the maintenance of our national sovereignty, and to the positive future path we have chosen as a nation. Furthermore, the Government pledges all of its resources to the betterment of the Lyonian people and works tirelessly on their behalf.
 
HRH Lothian
Prince of Lyonesse, the Lir and Elder Isles, Head of the Commonwealth, and Defender of the Realm