To the Peers, Knights, Dames, and Holders of Royal Patronage of the Hutt River Province Principalty, Concerning Chivalry and Attitudes to Dignitaries and Aristocraties Abroad.

H.R.H. Prince Leonard has authorised to be set down the following to allow his Knights, Dames, Peers and those upon whom Royal Patronage is bestowed to fully understand what is expected of them so that they do not come behind any members of either European or British Peerage or Knightage in any way; but that they may be a credit to the honour with which they have been awarded.

Although the Principalty is not classed amongst the older states or kingdoms of the world, it is still to be considered as real as any of them in this 20th Century.

Let it be acknowledged even by those stiff-necked or poverty stricken members of the old aristocraties of bygone years that, despite the fact that The Hutt River Province Principalty is both in the new world; i.e. the Australian continent; and is small in size, it is nevertheless independant and sovereign; which is more than can be said of most Orders and Principalties which originated in the old world today. The Hutt River Province Principalty acquired sovereignty in April 1970.

Nevertheless, H.R.H., by virtue of his sovereignty and independence, is cognizant of the undeniable rights which these venerable Orders and Nobilities still contain within themselves, an is thus favourably inclined towards their health and welfare at this time. Such Orders and Nobilities are recognised by him.

To this end, the Peers, Knights, Dames and holders of Royal Patronage of The Hutt River Province Principalty would do well to be chivalrous and brotherly towards all those in this above category, i.e. ex-Monarch, Princes, Nobility, Knights and Peers who have fallen on evil times in these days through an upsurge in Republicanism.

Let it not be imagined by those who may be critical, that H.R.H. is endeavouring to foist upon today's world a class of people, as it is thought by some, who may consider themselves a class above the honest toiler, businessman or farmer. However, his purpose is to reward with honours, those who are favourably inclined to his actions, and as Sovereign the is therefore entitled to augment Orders for this purpose and to distribute them to those he believes are worthy of such.

Prince Regent, Prince Kevin

The story of the secession of The Hutt River Principality from Western Australia and from the Australian Federal Government, and the subsequent declaration of the Principality, are adequately covered in the book "The Man", by R C Hyslop, and in the public relations booklet "The Birth of a Principality", both of which are available from The Hutt River Principality or the Information Department, Office of The Hutt River Bureau, PO Box 2419, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia, 4220.

The legality of Prince Leonard's secession on April 21, 1970, has been confirmed by amassing actual legal evidence over the last twenty years. Prince Leonard recognised that as a de jure prince he had certain obligations to fulfil to increase the status of the Principality at an international level.

In 1989 H.R.H. Prince Leonard created the office of "Prince Regent of The Hutt River Principality" to help guide and counsel the Sovereign of the Hutt River Principality. This honour was bestowed on Lord Kevin Gale, The Grand Duke of Maya Maya. The Prince Regent takes precedence over all but the Royal Line. His official style of address is, "His Royal Highness, Prince Kevin Gale, Prince Regent" and his wife as "Her Royal Highness, Princess Dorothea".

Any form of Royalty has duties to perform that transcend those of a normal pro tempore ruler of State as he or she becomes in all respects the personification of his or her country. As the Fount of Honour (fons honorum) for The Hutt River Principality and her Territories, His Royal Highness, Prince Leonard, exercised his Royal Prerogative of selecting and appointing all commanders and officers, judges, councillors, officers of State and dignitaries; and also that of bestowing all public honours.

To this end he established the office of Earl Marshal. By virtue of his appointment, the Earl Marshal is the Principal Peer, virtue officii. This honour was bestowed on Lord Clifford Wright, duke of Hornchurch. Due to the Vice Regal nature of his appointment the official style of address for the Earl Marshal is, "His Excellency, The Most Noble Duke of Hornchurch, Earl Marshal of The Hutt River Principality and Her Territories, and Master of The Royal College of Heraldry of The Hutt River Principality".

This last title was made under separate warrant to give His Excellency, The Earl Marshal, full Royal Prerogative to establish a full system of Heraldry and State ceremonial, commensurate with the Twentieth Century, but in no way abrogates the Sovereign Excellency of H.R.H. Prince Leonard nor the Hutt River Principality.

The Blue Commonwealth Ensign has been adopted primarily as the flag for the Hutt River Province and the Governor of Western Australia is being fully advised and equally knows that it is trusted that Her Majesty will invest a National Emblem at a later date, appropriate to Her convenience.

April 21 has been declared a public holiday, commemorating the Anniversary of the Secession of the Hutt River Province.

The peoples of the Hutt River Province affirm their loyalty to Her Majesty and respect of the Duke of Edinburgh. It might be noted that in Canberra on March 31, 1971, the Duke of Edinburgh said, "Submission to agression was even worse than agression itself."

The original Earl Marshal, Bishop Dr D A Metcalf (deceased), drafted "The Earl Marshal Regulations 1977", to fully set out the proposed system and aims for seals, flags, pennants, banners, standards, orders and decorations, pageantry, State occasions and heraldic emblazonment for the use within The Realm of The Hutt River Principality and all Her sphere of influence.

The present earl Marshal, Lord Clifford Wright, in october 1988, amended these regulations and from that date they became known as "The earl Marshal Regulations 1988". These regulations hold the full force of the Earl Marshal's Warrant. They set out the guiding principles by which all the Earl Marshal's areas of responsibility are administered. From this co-ordinated base, a system was developed, tailored to the requirements of maintaining the dignity of a new dynastic Royal House and conforming to the modern requirements of the present age.

This has been achieved by examining "first principles" rather than relying on the systems of Heraldry, Orders and Styles that have evolved to this present day. These systems in many cases have marked degrees of decadence in them. There is no implied criticism of any existing system of Government, Heraldry or Honour within any country by any statement in this booklet. The only aim has been to adapt the very best of European and other heritages to a flexible, meaningful and useful system, free of the shackles of inapplicable tradition.

It is noteworthy that the traditional European heraldic systems fit well into our antipodean society and philosophy. The main variations necessary were those which enabled our system of heraldry, honours and styles to encompass a wider range of ethnic styles.

By this method of examining "first principles", a spontaneous and vital system has been established which fulfils the requirements of The Hutt River Principality but still fits in with the established traditional systems of Europe and The New World.