RENEWAL DAY: The founding of The New Weddington Isles
For much of the twentieth century the Royal Company's Islands lay unclaimed and largely ignored; outside of any territorial waters and lying off any major shipping lanes.
In 2020, the establishment of the New Weddington Isles led to renewed interest in these islands. Lord Watitune, Lord of the Manor of New Weddington, set up a micronation in 2019 in response to the decimation of the historic medieval village of Weddington in Warwickshire, UK by a huge housing development that obliterated many old Weddington’s former green fields and spaces.
Having relocated the New Weddington Isles’ government-in-exile to Canberra, Australia, the Royal Company’s Isles presented Lord Watitune with an ideal location for the physical aspirations of New Weddington – establishing a landed presence for this micronation and ultimately a base to rebuild and re-establish the medieval village of Weddington and its historic Castle (demolished in 1928). This is reflected in our official motto: "Renatus a terra usque ad mare" ["Reborn from land to sea"].
Given its remote location the Royal Company’s Islands – hereafter known as The New Weddington Isles – sits outside territorial waters and has never been the subject of a national claim on any previous explorations of the area. Furthermore, it is far from the threats of housing or commercial development that has so badly blighted old Weddington.
As such, on 29th February 2020 Lord Watitune sent formal letters of claim to these islands to the United Nations Secretariat and the International Hydrographic Organization** on the basis of lack of previous claim and terra nullius. A deadline of 30th March 2020 was given to the IHO / UN to raise any objections or issues with this claim.
Given that no such objections were received then or subsequently, the New Weddington Isles assumes de facto acceptance of this claim. Lord Watitune thereby decreed the date of the 30th March as an annual celebration of the establishment of the New Weddington Isles, to be marked annually. For details of Renewal Day 2021, including the recipient of the annual Renewal Day Medal, click here.
**Hydrography provides the basis for all activities which involve the sea. The International Hydrographic Organization works to ensure that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted, thereby supporting safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. It coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and sets standards in order to promote uniformity in nautical charts and documents. It issues survey best practices and provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic information.
In 2020, the establishment of the New Weddington Isles led to renewed interest in these islands. Lord Watitune, Lord of the Manor of New Weddington, set up a micronation in 2019 in response to the decimation of the historic medieval village of Weddington in Warwickshire, UK by a huge housing development that obliterated many old Weddington’s former green fields and spaces.
Having relocated the New Weddington Isles’ government-in-exile to Canberra, Australia, the Royal Company’s Isles presented Lord Watitune with an ideal location for the physical aspirations of New Weddington – establishing a landed presence for this micronation and ultimately a base to rebuild and re-establish the medieval village of Weddington and its historic Castle (demolished in 1928). This is reflected in our official motto: "Renatus a terra usque ad mare" ["Reborn from land to sea"].
Given its remote location the Royal Company’s Islands – hereafter known as The New Weddington Isles – sits outside territorial waters and has never been the subject of a national claim on any previous explorations of the area. Furthermore, it is far from the threats of housing or commercial development that has so badly blighted old Weddington.
As such, on 29th February 2020 Lord Watitune sent formal letters of claim to these islands to the United Nations Secretariat and the International Hydrographic Organization** on the basis of lack of previous claim and terra nullius. A deadline of 30th March 2020 was given to the IHO / UN to raise any objections or issues with this claim.
Given that no such objections were received then or subsequently, the New Weddington Isles assumes de facto acceptance of this claim. Lord Watitune thereby decreed the date of the 30th March as an annual celebration of the establishment of the New Weddington Isles, to be marked annually. For details of Renewal Day 2021, including the recipient of the annual Renewal Day Medal, click here.
**Hydrography provides the basis for all activities which involve the sea. The International Hydrographic Organization works to ensure that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted, thereby supporting safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. It coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and sets standards in order to promote uniformity in nautical charts and documents. It issues survey best practices and provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic information.
