Principality of Seborga

Flag of the Principality of Seborga

The Principality of Seborga is a micronation or a fantasy state, that claims a 14 km2 area located in the northwestern Italian Province of Imperia in Liguria, near the French border, and about 35 km (23 mi) from Monaco.[1] The principality is in coexistence with, and claims the territory of, the town of Seborga.

History

In arguing for the founding of Seborga in 1963, a Seborgan named Giorgio Carbone claimed, based on documents from the Vatican archives, that during the Middle Ages the town had become part of the feudal holdings of the Counts of Ventimiglia. He insisted that in the year 954, Seborga became the property of the Benedictine Monks of Santo Onorato of Lerins and in 1079 the Abbot of this monastery was made a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, with temporal authority over the Principality of Seborga.[2]

Allegedly on 20 January 1729, this independent principality was sold to the Savoy dynasty and became a protectorate of theirs. In 1815 the Congress of Vienna overlooked Seborga in its redistribution of European territories after the Napoleonic Wars, and there is no mention of Seborga in the Act of Unification for the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The Unification of Italy in 1861 and the Italian Republic in 1946 would therefore illegitimate and unilateral acts, because they violate the legitimate sovereignty of the people of Seborga. The exile of the Savoy, in 1946, involved also the end of ius patronatus.[3]

The argument for Seborga's present-day status as an independent state is based on the claim that the 1729 sale was never registered by its new owners, resulting in the principality falling into what has been described as a legal twilight zone.

Origins

In the early 1960s, Giorgio Carbone, began promoting the idea that Seborga restore its historic independence as a principality.[4] By 1963 the people of Seborga were sufficiently convinced of these arguments to elect Carbone as their Head of State. He then assumed the style and title His Serene Highness Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga, which he held until his death in 2009.

Carbone's status as Prince was confirmed on 23 April 1995, when Seborgans voted 304 in favour, 4 against, for the Principality's constitution and in favour of independence from Italy.[5] Prince Giorgio I reigned until his death on 25 November 2009.[2]

His successor Marcello Menegatto was elected on 25 April 2010 and crowned on 22 May 2010.[6]

Title Given name Reign began Reign ended
Prince Giorgio I Giorgio Carbone 14 May 1963 25 November 2009
Prince Marcello I Marcello Menegatto 25 April 2010[7][8] reigning monarch
The former Government Palace, used until 2009.

Privy Council


According to the constitution of Seborga, the reigning monarch has to rule under advisement by his Privy Council. Four members of the Council are elected by the citizens of Seborga while other members can be named by the Prince himself.[9] The Privy Council is the executive in the principality.[9]

Nominative Office
S. A. S. Marcello I Prince of Seborga
Nina Menegatto Consort of Seborga, Counsellor for Foreign Affairs
Mauro Carassale Counsellor for the Interior Secretary of State
Mirko Ferrari Adviser and the Registry of Motor
Joseph Bernardi Counsellor for Finance and for Sport and Tourism
Maria Carmela Serra Counsellor for Youth and Education
Zoltán Kabai Deputy Director for the Operator and the Registry
Falbo Domenico Counsellor for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
Mirco Biancheri Adviser Justice Keeper
Hermes Fogliarino Adviser for the Environmental and Land

Claimant

In June 2006 a minor controversy arose when a woman calling herself "Princess Yasmine von Hohenstaufen Anjou Plantagenet", who claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne of Seborga, wrote to Italy's president offering to return the principality to the state.[10] Her claim was contested by the then-prince, Giorgio I (Giorgio Carbone), who asserted that there were no credible sources supporting her,[11] and said:

"Pah! No one’s ever even seen her as far as I know. I call her the 'internet princess'."

Since 22 February 2016 Nicolas Mutte, a French writer, claims to replace Marcello I.[12]

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ "Self-Proclaimed Micronations", WorldStatesmen.org
  2. 1 2 "His Tremendousness Giorgio Carbone" (Obituary) The Telegraph, November 27, 2009
  3. ↑ "Storia".
  4. ↑ "Prince of Seborga fights on for 362 subjects", Italy Magazine, 15 June 2006
  5. ↑ Caitlin Moran,"Noel Gallagher is my choice for monarch", The Times, January 30, 2006
  6. ↑ Seborga Times, Article "Seborga will crown his new elected Prince: Menegatto I"
  7. ↑ Squires, Nick (27 April 2010). "Tiny Italian principality announces new monarch called 'His Tremendousness'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  8. ↑ "The King of Nylon: 'kingdom' of Seborga ruled by hosiery heir". The Metro. London. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Consiglio della Corona".
  10. ↑ Malcolm Moore,"Battle rages for His Tremendousness's throne", Daily Telegraph, 13 June 2006
  11. ↑ "Prince of Seborga fights on for 362 subjects", Italy Magazine, 15 June 2006
  12. ↑ Ruler of self-declared principality on the Italian Riviera faces 'coup d'etat' from rival on telegraph
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seborga.

Coordinates: 43°49′33″N 7°41′40″E / 43.8259°N 7.6944°E / 43.8259; 7.6944

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