Kingdom of the Navasse
The United Kingdom of the Navasse Royaume-Uni de la Navasse | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: ‘Vires Sapientiae Virtus’ (Latin: "Strength, Wisdom, Virtue") | |
| Anthem: La Marche Royale | |
| Capital | Cap-Paradis |
| Official languages | English, French, Haitian Creole |
| Religion | Déanism |
| Demonym(s) | Navassois |
| Government | Semi-Constitutional Monarchy |
• Queen | Marie-Adélina I |
| Legislature | Crown Council of the Navasse |
| Establishment | 13 September 2017 |
| Currency | Coquilles (CQ) |
| Time zone | EST |
Website Navasse Website | |
Navasse, officially the United Kingdom of the Navasse (French: Royaume-Uni de la Navasse; Haitian Creole: Wayòm Ini nan Lanavaz), is a micronational area referring to where the monarch of the Navasse is head of state, primarily the uninhabited islands of Navassa, Serranilla Bank, and Bajo Nuevo Bank in the Caribbean. However, its operations are based in Rochester, New York, in the United States of America.
Founded in 2017 and inspired by the legacy of the former Kingdom of Haïti (1811-1820), Navasse is a micronation that engages with local, national and international organizations and groups in an effort to create, advocate, and support initiatives that positively impact society. They have several areas of interest, from the defense of the rights for LGBTQ + people to the fight against child poverty and advancing equity for women.
It is currently led by Queen Marie-Adélina I. A Black transwoman, she is a cognatic descendant of the late King Henry I of Haïti through his natural grandson, Pierre Nord Alexis.
Navasse joined La Microfrancophonie, an organization of French-speaking micronations, in 2019. In 2022, Navasse established the Fondation Royale de la Navasse (Royal Foundation of the Navasse), the United Kingdom of the Navasse's primary charitable vehicle, to further support its mission to create, advocate and support projects that foster positive relationships and empowerment in communities.
History
The earliest record of Navasse comes from 1504 when Christopher Columbus inadvertently discovered the island. Lacking drinkable water, his men named the island Navaza or plain and avoided the island for centuries.
With the signing of the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697, the island was transferred to France. It would remain part of the French territory of Saint-Domingue until the proclamation of Haïti on January 1, 1804. Several months after his coronation, revolutionary hero Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines rewarded the title Duc de la Navasse to Henry Christophe - at least, according to family legend. But after the assassination of Jean-Jacques I in 1806, Christophe and his followers traveled to the northern part of Haïti and established a separate government. In 1807, Henry was proclaimed President & Generalissimo of the State (northern) of Haïti. Four years later, he proclaimed himself King of Haïti and was crowned by Corneille Brelle, who had previously crowned Dessalines himself. Though Haïti was divided between the royal north and republican south, Henry I proclaimed himself ruler “of Tortuga, Gonâve, and other adjacent islands” - including Navasse.
King Henry sought to create a royal court on par with his European counterparts. From his Sans-Souci Palace in Milot, near the royal capital of Cap-Henry - now Cap-Haïtien - Henry was an ardent supporter of science and the arts. He established a cabinet government and nobility modeled after the British and ordered regalia from London to reinforce his majesty. Henry later created a codified constitution, the Code Henry, which promoted education and freedoms - though the King held most of the power.
A stroke in the summer of 1820, added to growing discontent fuelled by instigators from the republican South, brought the fall of King Henry’s reign that year. His family relocated to the Citadelle Laferrière, a fortification built to protect the kingdom from a purported French invasion. Refusing to see himself fall into the hands of his enemies, Henry shot himself on October 8, 1820. His son, the Prince Royal Victor-Henry - briefly recognized as King Henry II - was stabbed by insurgents ten days later. Henry I’s wife, Queen Marie-Louise, and daughters Princess Françoise-Améthyste and Princess Anne-Athénaïre left in exile to Europe, where they died in Italy.
Navasse changed hands but remained forever under the flag of Haïti. That is, until the mid-1800s. The U.S. Guano Islands Act of 1856 gave American citizens the right to take possession of uninhabited islands containing guano deposits. A year later, American sea captain Peter Duncan claimed the island - despite its longstanding claim by Haïti. Two years later, President James Buchanan issued an Executive Order upholding the claim - a decree still in effect today.
It is believed Henry I bequeathed the title of Princesse de la Navasse to his legitimized daughter, S.A.S. Princess Blésine Georges Christophe, who married Count Nord Alexis in 1819. Her son, Pierre Nord Alexis, was born in Cap-Henry in 1820. Pierre spent his life in public service, serving as a provincial governor under Emperor Faustin I, followed by a stint as a war minister and a provisional government member in the country's northern part in 1869-70. Finally, in 1902, Pierre was elected President of Haïti. Remembering the stories of his late grandfather, he, too, dreamt of the days of the return of the Monarchy. He proclaimed himself President for Life in January 1908 and proposed a constitutional monarchy but was greatly opposed and forced into exile by the end of the year. Although his ideas of kingship never came into reality, he continued to have his inner circle and servants refer to him as the King of the Navasse.
After Pierre died in 1910, the title fell into abeyance until Pierre’s great-great-great-granddaughter, Marie-Adélina, assumed the throne as Queen on September 13, 2017. Claiming the uninhabited islands of Navassa, Serranilla Bank and Bajo Nuevo Bank, the three islands would form the basis of this small but proud micronation.
Government and Politics
The Queen holds absolute authority per the Constitution that governs Navasse. As Sovereign, the Queen is supported by the Privy Council, a body of counsellors that provides advice on policies, activities and other engagements, to which the Sovereign gives or withholds Assent. The Council also serves as the executive committee of the royal foundation. The Crown Council serves as the legislative body, summoned intermittently on legislative matters.
H.M.s Chancellery
Her Majesty's Chancellery (Chancellerie de Sa Majesté) is the central royal governing bureaucracy that aids in the daily operation of The Crown, with each department (secrétariats) overseeing specific political function.
Economy
Navasse invests in several initiatives, most notable in its Crown Sirène Coffee production, sourced from Haïti, which is sold primarily in the United States. Revenue from sales of products also supports the life and work of Navasse's charitable arm.
Navasse's official currency is the Coquilles (C£; CQ), with a conversion rate of 1 CQ = .1 USD.
Culture
The culture of Navasse is a vibrant and unique amalgamation of Haitian, Caribbean, and British influences. This cultural fusion is primarily derived from the historical connection between Navasse and Haiti. This influence can be traced back to the Royal Family's roots to the country. The culture of the Court of King Henry Christophe of Haiti, which flourished during the early 19th century, plays a significant role as the ancestor of the Royal House. King Henry Christophe was a key figure in Haitian history, known for his ambitious architectural projects and his efforts to promote Haitian art and culture. The court under his reign became a center for the arts, literature, and music, and it had a lasting impact on the cultural development of the region. Navasse's cultural expression is a vibrant tapestry of various artistic expressions.
Music and visual arts form an integral part of the cultural heritage. Radio Lanavaz plays traditional Haitian music, such as compas, zouk, and mizik rasin, along with other Latin American and Caribbean influences. Classical music is also richly celebrated, with the legacy of Haitian composers such as Ludovic Lamothe, Julio Rancine, Werner Anton Jaegerhuber influencing the court's music taste.
Cuisine is another important aspect, with the rich blend of African, French, and indigenous influences bringing the best to the table. Staple dishes such as rice and beans, plantains, and seafood delicacies showcase the fusion of flavors that reflect the diverse cultural heritage.
The primary language spoken at the Royal Court is English. However, due to the strong Haitian influence, French and Haitian Creole are also spoken and serves as a significant mode of communication.
Navasse's official faith is Déanism , the belief in an universal supreme goddess.
Holidays
New Year’s Day (1 January), Feast of La Sirène (2 February), Women’s Day (8 March), Culture Day (25 March), Queen's Day (16 May), Environment Day (5 June), Pride Day (24 August), Founding Day (13 September) King Henri’s Birthday (6 October), Day of the Dead (2 November), Day of Thanks & Giving (last Tuesday in November). In addition, the Royal Court goes into three recess periods throughout the year - Spring, Summer, and Winter.