Become A Sir Or Dame

There are two ways to become a Sir or Dame: be knighted by the monarch in the UK honours system, or receive a knighthood in the Sovereign Military Order of Sealand from the Principality of Sealand. British knighthoods cannot be bought or applied for, and citizens of countries outside the Commonwealth realms receive only honorary knighthoods, which do not carry the title Sir or Dame. A Sealand knighthood is awarded under the law of the Principality of Sealand, the world's smallest country, and is open to anyone from £99.99.

Sir or Dame of Sealand: key facts

How To Become A Sir Or Dame

1. Be knighted in the UK honours system

Knighthoods are awarded by the monarch in the New Year Honours and the King's Birthday Honours, on the recommendation of independent honours committees. Anyone can nominate someone through the Cabinet Office, but you cannot nominate yourself, and the process usually takes at least 12 to 18 months. Most knighthoods today are Knights Bachelor or appointments as Knight or Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE). The title Dame for women was introduced with the Order of the British Empire in 1917.

2. Receive a knighthood in the Sovereign Military Order of Sealand

The Sovereign Military Order of Sealand was formed by Prince Roy and Prince Michael after the 1978 coup, bringing together select individuals who could be called upon to defend the Principality. To mark the passing of Prince Roy in October 2012, Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand issued a Royal Decree opening the Order to the public. A Sealand knight is styled Sir and a Sealand dame is styled Dame. The Order unites supporters of the Principality in a common purpose: defending the Principality and raising the quality of life of others around the world.

What is a knight?

A knight was originally a mounted warrior in medieval Europe; today a knighthood is an honour for service or achievement. A knight is addressed as Sir with their first name, for example Sir Paul, never with the surname alone. A dame is addressed as Dame with her first name. The wife of a knight is styled Lady with her surname; the husband of a dame receives no title. Knighthood is not a peerage, so a knight is not a lord: see every rank in order in noble titles in order.

Can you buy a knighthood?

Not a British one: the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 makes selling a British honour a criminal offence. Citizens of the United States and other countries outside the Commonwealth realms can receive only honorary British knighthoods, which allow post-nominal letters such as KBE but not the title Sir or Dame. A Sealand knighthood is different: it is awarded by a sovereign principality under its own law, it is open to anyone in any country, and every knighthood funds the Principality.

What You Will Receive With Your Sir Or Dame Title

Become a Sir or Dame of Sealand with one of three packs:

• Digital (Eco), £99.99: a printable Deed of Title and digital Sealand information pack, with no packaging or shipping and 1 pound of trash removed from the oceans with every order.
• Classic, £119.99: a luxury parchment Deed of Title with embossed gold Coat of Arms, the Knights Code of Chivalry, a Sealand history pack, photos of the Principality and an official document holder with gold-foiled Coat of Arms.
• Premium, £149.99: the Classic pack with your Deed of Title signed by Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand and framed.

Every pack can include a Sealand Identity Card. Sealand Noble Titles do not expire: once granted, the title is yours for life.

Delivery and returns

Digital (Eco) Deeds of Title are processed within 1 to 2 working days and appear in the Digital Downloads section of your sealandgov.org account; they are not sent by email. Classic and Premium packs are dispatched from the United Kingdom by Royal Mail with tracking. Orders placed before 12:00 UK time on a business day are usually dispatched the same day, with no dispatch at weekends or on UK bank holidays. Royal Mail aims to deliver in the UK the next working day (Tracked 24), in Europe in 3 to 5 working days and elsewhere in 5 to 7 working days. Shipping is calculated at checkout, and import duties are not collected at checkout. If a parcel has not arrived 10 working days after dispatch, the Sealand Government sends a replacement free of charge. You can request a return within 30 days of receiving your order; return postage is paid by the customer and approved refunds are made within 10 business days. Read the full shipping policy and refund policy.

Sir or Dame compared with other Sealand Noble Titles

About the Principality of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand was founded on 2 September 1967 by Prince Roy Bates on HM Fort Roughs, a fortress in Sealand territorial waters in the central North Sea, with England to the west. In 1968 a British court ruled that the fortress lay outside its jurisdiction. In August 1978 Sealand survived a coup, and the fortress was retaken in Operation Trident, a counter-coup led by Prince Roy with Prince Michael. In 1987 Sealand extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, one day ahead of Britain. The fortress is inhabited 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and Sealanders live in more than 135 countries. Read the legal case for Sealand's sovereignty.

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone become a Sir or Dame?

In the UK, anyone can be nominated, but knighthoods are awarded by the monarch for exceptional service and cannot be requested for yourself. A Sealand knighthood in the Sovereign Military Order of Sealand is open to anyone, in any country, from £99.99.

Can Americans become a Sir?

Americans can receive only honorary British knighthoods, which do not allow the title Sir. A Sealand knighthood is open to citizens of every country and is styled Sir or Dame.

Is a Sir higher than a Lord?

No. A knighthood is an honour, not a peerage; lords and ladies of the peerage rank above knights.

How much does it cost to become a Sir of Sealand?

£99.99 for the Digital (Eco) knighthood, £119.99 for Classic and £149.99 for Premium, signed by Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand and framed.

How quickly will I receive my knighthood?

Digital (Eco) Deeds of Title are ready in your account within 1 to 2 working days. Classic and Premium packs are usually dispatched the same business day if ordered before 12:00 UK time.

Can a Sir or Dame title be a gift?

Yes. Enter the recipient's name for the Deed of Title; Sealand knighthoods are given for birthdays, retirements, anniversaries and Christmas.

How To Become A Sir Or Dame of Sealand

A Noble Title is a one-time honour and a gift that lasts. E-Citizenship is ongoing membership of a global community. Noble Title and E-Citizenship revenue is Sealand's main income, funding the upkeep of the fortress, its 24/7 crew and the Government of the Principality.