Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: The principality claims to be an independent sovereign state , although it remains unrecognized except by other micronations , despite achieving de facto legal status on 21 April 1972 .
Simplified: The principality claims to be an independent sovereign state . It is unrecognized except by other micronations , but got de facto legal status on 21 April 1972 .