Government of the

Principality of Hutt River
www.principality-hutt-river.org/gov

February 11^th 2017

The Event

At 2.00pm on Saturday February 11^th 2017 some 200+ people attended Nain in order to witness the final functions of
HRH Prince Leonard as Sovereign of the nation in the bestowal & investiture of honours to 4 people, followed by his  abdication and handing over of his Sovereignty to his youngest son HRH Prince Graeme. So many attended that the small Chapel was filled with people and many more stood on the steps outside or around the outside of the chapel in order to get a glimpse of happenings through the open doors and windows.
 

Commencement of proceedings.

The occasion commenced with HRH Prince Richard welcoming all those present, from a large number of the Casley family
as well as dignitaries including:
Craig Simkin, President of the Northampton Shire, Elder Clayton Drage representing the Nanda people.

Prince Richard then read out a sample of the apologies/greetings sent in by other dignitaries who were unable to attend, including: Australian Prime Minister, W.A. State Governor, WA State Premier, and Rabbi Sir Shalom Coleman.

Prince Richard then welcomed the many Lords, Knights, Dames, Ladies of the PHR, as well as the very many who had travelled from local, Perth, Sydney, Queensland and USA to be part of the event,
the first of it's kind in the Principality of Hutt River history.

Prince Richard finally welcomed the large media contingent in attendance, many having travelleda  long way to get here from Australia Wide, U.S.A., U.K. etc he thanked them for their interest in the PHR and a special mention was made of/to the U.S.A. Documentary/Filmmaker crew that are here for 2-3 weeks
filming around the Principality and interviewing many and now filming this event today.

The Ceremonies on the day were held in:
 Princess Shirley's Chapel of Nain
and consisted of 4 separate parts:
 

1. Presentation of Military Awards

Four people were honoured by the Sovereign HRH Prince Leonard as his final action as;
Commander in Chief of the Royal Hutt River Defence Forces & Sovereign of the Principality of Hutt River.

• Maj. Sir Richards Ananda Barton KCRO., KCOWL., MIOM., MCM & Silver Bar. RHRL
  
  Maj. Sir Ananda was presented with the Silver Bar to his MCM
  awarded to him by the Sovereign HRH Prince Leonard in the 2017 New Year Honours List.
  
  
   
• Sgt. Lisa (Aliyah) Oliver CIOM., SCM., RHRL
  
  Sgt. Lisa (Aliyah) Oliver was to be presented with the Sovereign's Commendation Medal (SCM)
  awarded to her by the Sovereign HRH Prince Leonard in the 2017 New Year Honours List.
  Unfortunately Sgt Oliver was unable to attend the investiture so it was excepted on her behalf by her
  Platoon Commander, Maj. Sir Richard Ananda Barton.

  
  
  2. Bestowal & Investiture of Final Honours by HRH Prince Leonard

• Sir Robert James Lee-Steere K.C.I.O.M.

  Bestowed with the Rank of Knight Commander in the Illustrious Order of Merit for:.
  Outstanding efforts given in agriculture and in particular the pastoral industry over very many years
  and support/assistance provided HRH Prince Leonard for many years.

  
   

• Dr. Sir Gerhard Beukes K.G.C.I.O.M.

  Bestowed with the Rank of Knight Grand Commander in the Illustrious Order of Merit for:
  his outstanding Services to medicine and the people in regional Western Australia.
   

REPORT & PHOTOS CLICK HERE

• The declaration of abdication and signing of the document effecting the abdication
  was completed by HRH Prince Leonard in front of all those in attendance.

REPORT & PHOTOS CLICK HERE

• The declaration accepting the appointment as Sovereign of the PHR and signing of the document effecting that appointment
  was completed by HRH Prince Graeme in front of all those in attendance

REPORT & PHOTOS CLICK HERE