The 50th anniversary of Sealand's foundation is approaching in 2017

Ruler plans to reclaim land from North Sea to expand the small platform

Prince Michael of Sealand, who rules the abandoned WWII fort six miles off the East Anglia coast

The world’s smallest self-proclaimed nation has received 'thousands' of citizenship applications following the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election.

Prince Michael of Sealand, who rules the abandoned WWII fort six miles off the East Anglia coast, is planning to reclaim land from the sea to accommodate a bigger population.

Currently, only two people live on the platform, which was declared a sovereign state in 1967 by Prince Michael’s father, Army officer Major Roy Bates.

Sealand has its own currency, first minted in 1974, as well as a national anthem, flag, constitution and football team – once captained by Royle Family actor Ralf Little.

Prince Michael believes the demand for citizenship is mainly from people wanting to ‘register their discontent’ with political developments in Britain and America.

He told MailOnline: ‘After the vote for Brexit we had several hundred enquiries daily.

‘Then following the American vote it was in excess of 200 daily and we are still getting enquiries as the situation sinks in.’

Sealand has its own currency, first minted in 1974, as well as a national anthem, flag, constitution and football team – once captained by Royle Family actor Ralf Little

Joan Bates was crowned Princess of Sealand by her husband Roy - Prince Michael's father - after he occupied the platform in 1967 and declared it to be an independent country

Prince Michael believes the demand for citizenship is mainly from people wanting to ‘register their discontent’ with political developments. Pictured: Sealand's place on a map

Several hundred Sealand passports have been handed out since it was created, and at its peak the rusty platform the size of two tennis courts housed 50 people.

Although none have been issued since the 9/11 attacks for security reasons, Prince Michael hopes to do so again soon.

Sealand’s foundation dates back to Christmas Eve 1966, when Michael’s father took over HM Fort Roughs with the intention of using it as a base for a pirate radio station.

In 1967, new laws were brought in to crush unlicensed networks, so Roy proclaimed the fort a sovereign country, crowning his wife, former beauty queen Joan, princess.

Princess Joan passed away in March last year, leaving Michael – who became Prince Regent after his father died in October 2012 – the sole ruler. Pictured: Joan and Roy Bates

Roy Bates and Joan pictured on Sealand, which used to be called HM Fort Roughs

Since then the principality has fought off an attack by rival radio producers, an incursion by a Royal Navy ship and even an attempted coup by a group of German businessmen.

Princess Joan passed away in March last year, leaving Michael – who became Prince Regent after his father died in October 2012 – the sole ruler.

'THERE AREN'T MANY PLACES LIKE GOOD OLD BLIGHTY...' Despite scrapes with the Government, Prince Michael is proudly British, considering himself of dual nationality. ‘There aren't many places like good old Blighty where you could consider doing what we did,’ he said. Advertisement

He now lives at Leigh-on-Sea on the Essex coast, and helps fund Sealand by selling noble titles, including those of Lord, Lady and Baroness.

Michael does not think Brexit will change Sealand in the short term.

However, he hopes for a good trade deal for the UK to help his business shipping cockles to Spain.

In the future, he believes a population of ‘hundreds’ could live on Sealand, perhaps using floating platforms.

Although Michael’s children - Liam, 28, James, 30, Charlotte 25 – take a keen interest in Sealand, he would not rule out selling it to allow for future expansion to happen.

Passports, such as this one pictured, have not been issued since the 9/11 attacks for security reasons, but Prince Michael hopes to do so again soon

A pair of Sealand coins. On the left is the head of Princess Joan, and on the right the Sealand coat of arms

He added: ‘We want other people living there, hundreds.

‘I cannot think of a better place for some a very rich person to own.

'It is pretty much the only place in Europe where they could enjoy semi-autonomy.

‘And then it is just a helicopter ride away from London where you can enjoy the weekend.’