When little Lily asked her dad, Max Thompson, if she could be a princess when she grew up, he hesitated to make any unrealistic promises. But instead of brushing her off like most parents would, he decided to go above and beyond. Max embarked on a quest to find a piece of unclaimed land where he could plant a flag, ensuring his sweet daughter could one day reign as her very own princess. No, seriously. This actually happened.
As reported by various outlets, within months, Max found himself trekking through the remote deserts of Egypt, aiming for an unclaimed 800-square-mile area. On June 16, which also happened to be Lily’s seventh birthday, he placed a vibrant flag adorned with stars and a crown on a rocky hill. This sandy stretch, known locally as Bir Tawil, was rebranded by Max and his family as the “Kingdom of North Sudan.” In this whimsical realm, Max dubbed himself king while Lily took her place as the royal princess.
And guess what? Disney, in their infinite wisdom, thought this tale of a father traveling across continents to fulfill his daughter’s dreams was just the sweetest idea ever. They’re adapting it into a film directed by Morgan Spurlock. Has the world gone mad? There was a time when explorers claimed lands without a second thought, but surely those days are behind us, right? Apparently not.
To really claim his “kingdom,” Max needs legal recognition from neighboring countries and the United Nations. As of now, the UN hasn’t acknowledged his claim—probably because they’re busy dealing with actual nations—but they haven’t kicked him out either. Reports indicate that Max is trying to build positive relationships with Sudan and Egypt, hoping to create an eco-friendly nation where his family can live happily ever after as the royal family. I just need to pinch myself to believe this is real.
The land remains unclaimed due to a border dispute between Egypt and Sudan. Naturally, one dad from Virginia declaring, “This is mine!” isn’t going to resolve that. Acknowledging the absurdity, Max founded the Kingdom of North Sudan Research Fund. Along with dreams of castles and moats for his daughter, he aims to use the land for agricultural research, hoping to make his claim more appealing to neighboring nations and the UN.
The fund’s promotional video asserts that “scientists will work day and night to develop crop methods that require minimal water and no pesticides.” However, there’s a lack of actual research organizations tied to this, leaving one to wonder who these “scientists” might be. But hey, for a mere $300 donation to his IndieGoGo campaign, you can earn yourself a knighthood! And if you’re feeling particularly generous, for $50,000, you can even have your face printed on the currency of this imaginary kingdom.
So, while the notion of a father going to great lengths to make his daughter feel like royalty is charming, it’s also a bit of a cautionary tale about setting realistic expectations. For more insights on how to handle parenting dreams, check out our post on home insemination. And if you’re looking for expert advice on fertility matters, Science Daily is an excellent resource.
In summary, Max’s quest to create a kingdom for his daughter is both a heartwarming story and a reminder that some dreams may be better left in fairy tales.