The history of the Principality of Antarcticland dates to 1821, when it was founded by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen
The Principality of Antarcticland is the oldest and largest of the principalities grouped in the Antarctic Lands Organization. Its territory has an extension of 1,554,424 square kilometers.
One of the most transcendental moments of this principality occurred in 2007, when H.H. Hans Gottlieb, 42nd Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Ice and Regent of the Territory, appointed Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb as his successor.
The new Regent and 43rd Grand Master of the Knights of Ice changed the name of the Order. He decided to call them “Knights of Antarticland”. In addition, Prince Giovanni lifted the vow of secrecy that had protected the Order for more than a century. This allowed the Knights to come out into the public light.
Today, a Triumvirate of Regents governs the Principality of Antarticland
1) H.H. Cesare Sebastiano Francesco Giuseppe of the ancient Norman De Fuxo family, H.H. Prince of Antarcticland, Thurston, New Malta and King, H.E.H. Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem – World Confederation (SOSJJ), and 44th H.E.H. Grand Master of the Knights of Ice;
2) H.H. Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb, Prince of West Antarctica, former Regent Emeritus of the State of Antarctica, and 43rd Grand Master of the Knights of Ice;
3) H.E. Salvatore Brinch, Acting Regent and Governor of the Principality of King since June 2019.
Triumvirate of Prince Regents
This chivalrous Order incorporated the Russian branches of the ancient Knights of Malta. Prince Salvatore of Canisteo is the second member. The third member is Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb, Prince of West Antarctic and Regent Emeritus of Antarcticland.
Although Antarcticland is not a signatory to the 1961 Antarctic Treaty, its constitution predates it. Today, only 54 countries have approved this pact. Under this agreement, all territorial disputes over the continent have been frozen.
Nevertheless, most of the points addressed in the Treaty are included in the Antarctic Constitution. These include environmental protection and non-proliferation of weapons.
Antarcticland is a founding member of the Antarctic Lands Organization, which was created in 2021 to promote the foreign and environmental policy of principalities around the world. The states belonging to the ALO have political and military neutrality.
