When Lucas Barnett’s little girl turned six, she expressed a whimsical dream of becoming a princess. Rather than dismissing her innocent wish as many parents might—smiling and nodding while internally chuckling—Lucas took her request to heart. He set out on an extraordinary quest to find a piece of unclaimed land, envisioning a future where his daughter could reign over her own “kingdom.”
Believe it or not, this isn’t a fairy tale; it really happened! As reported by various outlets, Lucas embarked on a journey that led him to a remote, unoccupied stretch of desert between Egypt and Sudan. In a bold move on June 16—his daughter’s seventh birthday—he planted a blue flag adorned with a crown and stars atop a rocky hill, transforming the area known as Bir Tawil into what he now calls the “Kingdom of North Sudan.” In this unique realm, Lucas proudly claims the title of king, while his daughter enjoys the royal status of princess.
Interestingly, Disney has taken note of this unusual story and is adapting it into a film directed by Morgan Spurlock. It seems the idea of a father traversing continents to fulfill his daughter’s royal dreams is being romanticized in a way that raises eyebrows. Have we really returned to a time when claims to land were made with the mere planting of a flag? It’s certainly a curious situation!
While Lucas may have planted his flag, gaining legal recognition from other nations and the UN is a different story. The United Nations hasn’t acknowledged his so-called kingdom, likely focused on matters involving established countries. However, Lucas is optimistic and is actively working on building relationships with Egypt and Sudan. He envisions this newly claimed land transforming into an ecologically sustainable haven for his family to thrive as royalty.
The land remains unclaimed due to a longstanding border dispute between Egypt and Sudan, a situation that Lucas seems to believe he can navigate with his ambitious claims. To further legitimize his endeavor, he’s founded the Kingdom of North Sudan Research Fund, aiming to use the land for agricultural research. Lucas hopes that showcasing sustainable farming practices will make his claim more appealing to neighboring countries and international bodies.
A promotional video for the fund boasts that scientists will be tirelessly working on innovative agricultural techniques. However, the specifics of these scientists and their affiliations remain a mystery, leading one to wonder about the credibility of this ambitious plan. For those looking to support this venture, there’s even an IndieGoGo campaign with promises of knighthood for donations, and for a cool $50,000, you can have your likeness featured on the currency of this fanciful kingdom.
The narrative of a father going to great lengths to indulge his daughter and instill in her the belief that dreams can indeed come true could make for a heartwarming children’s movie. But it also raises questions about the lessons being imparted.
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In summary, Lucas Barnett’s quest to create a kingdom for his daughter is a tale that blurs the line between fantasy and reality, raising both eyebrows and questions about the messages we send to our children.
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