Leonard Casley
Leonard George Casley (28 August 1925 – 13 February 2019), better known as Prince Leonard, was the founder of the self-proclaimed micronation, the Principality of Hutt River, within the Australian state of Western Australia. He governed Hutt River from 21 April 1970 until his abdication in February 2017, at a coronation ceremony that placed his son Prince Graeme on the throne.
| Leonard I | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Hutt | |
Leonard Casley in 2010 | |
| Prince of the Hutt River Province | |
| Reign | 21 April 1970 – 11 February 2017 |
| Predecessor | Monarchy established |
| Successor | Graeme I |
| Born | 28 August 1925 Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Died | 13 February 2019 (aged 93) Geraldton, Western Australia |
| Spouse |
Shirley Butler
(m. 1947; wid. 2013) |
| Issue | 7, including Graeme I |
Having pursued a number of occupations, Casley eventually settled on farming, purchasing a large wheat farm near the towns of Northampton and Geraldton in the 1960s where he came to own 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi). In 1970, he declared independence and founded Hutt River Province in response to a dispute with the Government of Western Australia over what the Casley family considered draconian wheat production quotas. "His Royal Highness Prince Leonard I of Hutt" was the style used by Casley from the creation of the Principality until his death.