Carl I of Hansland
| Carl I | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Official portrait, c. 2020 | |||||||||
| King of Hansland | |||||||||
| Reign | 10 October 2020 - present | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Monarchy established | ||||||||
| Born | 22 October 1984 Comox, British Columbia, Canada | ||||||||
| Spouse | Sadie, Queen of Hansland (m. 2019) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | Ó Gairbhith | ||||||||
| Father | William, Duke of New Cumberland | ||||||||
| Mother | Loretta of Bowen | ||||||||
| Religion | Christianity | ||||||||
| Occupation | Businessman Micronationalist | ||||||||
| Signature |  | ||||||||
| Military career | |||||||||
| Allegiance |  Hansland | ||||||||
| Service/ |  Royal Hanslandic Navy | ||||||||
| Rank | Admiral of the Fleet | ||||||||
| Commands held | Hanslandic Armed Forces | ||||||||
| Battles/wars | Whisky War | ||||||||
Carl I (Carl William Ó Gairbhith; born 22 October 1984), known as the Righteous (French: les Justes), is King of Hansland and the wider Hanslandic Realm. He founded the Kingdom of Hansland in 2020 and claims sovereignty over Hans Island in the high Arctic region. Carl had been an active observer of micronations for several years before being inspired by Kevin Baugh, the founder and President of Molossia, to establish a micronation of his own.
Carl developed a keen interest in both environmentalism and theatre studies while attending high school and would later incorporate both of these passions into Hansland, which combines Arctic environmental protection with a lighthearted flair for theatrics. He has trained in all three branches of the Hanslandic Armed Forces, most notably the Royal Hanslandic Navy, where he holds the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.
Early life
Carl was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox, British Columbia, Canada. He is of English, Irish and Danish ancestry. His paternal ancestors were members of the Dál Fiatach dynasty, who were the ancient rulers of the Gaelic over-kingdom of Ulaid (today Ulster) for most of its history. Carl graduated from Georges P. Vanier Secondary School in 2002 and from Vancouver Island University in 2006, where he majored in business. In 2019, Carl married, and his wife currently reigns alongside him as Queen Constort of Hansland.
Micronational career
The idea of claiming Hans Island initially came to Carl during a 2019 visit to Grise Fiord on nearby Ellesmere Island, Canada's northernmost inhabited region. At the time, Canada and Denmark had been involved in the Whisky War, a bloodless war and territorial dispute over the island since 1973. On 10 October 2020, Carl proclaimed himself king and the newly established Kingdom of Hansland publicly declared its sovereignty over the long-disputed island. It justified its claim by accusing Canada and Denmark of political brinkmanship by allowing their territorial disagreement to continue for decades without any concrete steps towards a viable solution. Initial growth was positive, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the micronation's development, and it ultimately fell into a lengthy decline by the end of 2021.
On 14 June 2022, Carl was surprised to learn that an agreement was signed between Canadian foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly, Danish foreign affairs minister Jeppe Kofod, and the prime minister of Greenland Múte Bourup Egede to divide Hans Island between Canada and Denmark along its natural fault line.[1] The Hanslandic government sent letters of protest to the negotiating parties to assert its previously declared ownership of the island. These protests were ignored by both the Canadian and Danish governments. Carl's dedication to Hansland's development was reinvigorated and the kingdom began to experience rapid growth by early 2024, the start of a period that is referred to as the "Ó Gairbhith Restoration."
Reign
The King has ruled Hansland from Vancouver, Canada since 2020. Hans Island's inhospitable environment, extreme northern location, and complicated geopolitical situation make colonization of the island nearly impossible. As the head of the Hanslandic Realm, a de facto government-in-exile, Carl reigns as the nation's unquestioned sovereign and head of state. Hansland's semi-constitutional monarchy allows Carl to exert considerable social and political power over the state and its subjects, although he is a firm believer in democratic process and has famously ruled with an extraordinarily light touch.
Under his reign, Hansland's population has grown to 11 full-time subjects, with 6 of them becoming ennobled. Carl has considerably improved the kingdoms finances since its foundation, although the Royal household accounts for 50% of all state expenses. In 2024, Carl granted Royal assent to the Aristocracy Act, which gives Hanslanders the right to seek noble title over any land they own or control. The Animal Civilian Act was also passed, which granted all pets and other animals under the care of Hanslandic subjects the same rights as their owners or caregivers.
Official state visits
| Date | Country | Cities visited |
|---|---|---|
| 22–26 May 2023 |  Vancouver Island
|
Cookstown |
| 1–7 June 2024 |  United States
|
San Diego |
| 15 July 2024 |  Marbordo
|
Goodwin |
| 23–27 October 2024 | United States
|
Anchorage |
Personal life
Carl resides in Ó Gairbhith Castle, the personal residence of the Hanslandic Royal Family, with the Queen, their children, and several dogs and birds.[a] An avid outdoorsman, Carl enjoys hiking, fishing, and swimming in his spare time. He is also an accomplished writer and poet, with over 100 written works to his name. Carl has been a stalwart monarchist since his schooldays and is a vocal supporter of the British and Japanese ruling families. He is also an outspoken advocate for the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy to France.
Titles, styles and honors
| Royal styles of Carl I of Hansland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Royal Majesty |
| Spoken style | Your Royal Majesty |
| Alternative style | Sire |
Alternative titles and styles
- 10 October 2020 – present: His Royal Majesty The King of Hansland
Full titles as King
We, Carl the First, by the Grace of God, Most Righteous King of Hansland and of the Hanslandic Dominions beyond the Seas, ever Increaser of the Realm
Orders and decorations
- Hanslandic Realm
Sovereign of the Order of the Arctic Rock
Sovereign of the Order of the Northwest Passage
Standards and arms
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 |
|---|---|
(2020 - present) |
(2020 - present) |
See also
Notes
- ↑ Hansland's Royal Privacy Act prohibits publicizing the identities of the King's children until the age of 13.