Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ( bg, Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски, translit=Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, ; born 16 June 1937) is a Bulgarian monarch and politician who reigned as the last Tsar of the Tsardom of Bulgaria as Simeon II from 1943 until 1946. In 1946, the monarchy was abolished by a referendum, forcing Simeon into

exile Exile is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons and peoples suf ...

. Following the fall of communism in Bulgaria, Simeon returned to his home country in 1996, and founded the National Movement Simeon the Second party. After winning the 2001 election as its leader, Sakskoburggotski proceeded to govern Bulgaria as Prime Minister from 2001 to 2005.
Simeon was six years old when his father Boris III of Bulgaria died in 1943. Royal power was exercised on his behalf by a regency council led by Simeon's uncle Kiril, Prince of Preslav, General Nikola Mihov and prime minister,

Bogdan Filov Bogdan Dimitrov Filov ( bg, Богдан Димитров Филов; 10 April 1883 – 1 February 1945) was a Bulgarian archaeologist, art historian and politician. He was prime minister of Bulgaria during World War II. During his tenure, Bulga ...

.
Following his premiership from 2001 to 2005, in the next election, as leader of NDSV, Sakskoburggotski entered a coalition government with the

Bulgarian Socialist Party The Bulgarian Socialist Party ( bg, Българска социалистическа партия, translit=Balgarska sotsialisticheska partiya, BSP), also known as The Centenarian ( bg, Столетницата, links=no, translit=Stoletnitsat ...

, as his party finished second in the election. In 2009, after NDSV failed to win any seats in the National Assembly, he retired from politics. , Simeon is one of only two living men who were heads of states during World War II, along with the

14th Dalai Lama The 14th Dalai Lama (spiritual name Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, known as Tenzin Gyatso (Tibetan: བསྟན་འཛིན་རྒྱ་མཚོ་, Wylie: ''bsTan-'dzin rgya-mtsho''); né Lhamo Thondup), known as ...

, although both held mostly symbolic roles in their government's position.

Royal history

BASA-3K-15-302-13-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo

BASA-3K-15-302-18-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo

Simeon was born to Boris III of Bulgaria and Giovanna of Italy. Following his birth, Boris III sent an air force officer to the

Jordan River The Jordan River or River Jordan ( ar, نَهْر الْأُرْدُنّ, ''Nahr al-ʾUrdunn'', he, נְהַר הַיַּרְדֵּן, ''Nəhar hayYardēn''; syc, ܢܗܪܐ ܕܝܘܪܕܢܢ ''Nahrāʾ Yurdnan''), also known as ''Nahr Al-Shariea ...

to obtain water for Simeon's baptism in the Orthodox faith. He succeeded to the throne on 28 August 1943 upon the death of his father, who had just returned to Bulgaria from a meeting with Adolf Hitler. Since Simeon was only six years old, his uncle Prince Kiril, Prime Minister

, and

Lt. General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...

Nikola Mihov of the Bulgarian Army were appointed regents.Geoffrey Hindley, ''The Royal Families of Europe'', p. 156. London: Lyric Books Ltd., 1979. Under his father, Bulgaria joined the Axis powers in World War II but managed to preserve diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. Still, on 5 September 1944 Stalin declared war on Bulgaria and three days later, the Red Army entered the country without encountering resistance. On the next day, 9 September 1944, Prince Kyril and the other regents were deposed by a Soviet-backed coup and arrested. The three regents, all members of the last three governments, Parliament deputies, heads of the army and eminent journalists were executed by the Communists in February 1947.

Towards exile

The royal family — Queen Giovanna, Simeon, and his sister Maria-Louisa — remained at Vrana Palace, near Sofia, while three new regents were appointed, all Communists ( Todor Pavlov, Venelin Ganev and Tsvetko Boboshevski). On 15 September 1946, a referendum was held in the presence of the Soviet army. It proposed abolishing the monarchy and declaring a republic. Official figures showed a 95.6% approval for ending 68 years of monarchy. This referendum actually violated the Tarnovo Constitution, which held that any change in the form of the state could only be implemented by a Grand National Assembly convened by the tsar. On 16 September 1946, the royal family was exiled from Bulgaria while given a way to take out large amount of movable property. They first went to Alexandria, Egypt, where Simeon's grandfather Victor Emmanuel III, the former king of Italy, lived in exile. There, in 1951, Simeon studied at Victoria College (along with Crown Prince

Leka of Albania Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (also known as ''King Leka I''; 5 April 193930 November 2011), was the only son of King Zog I and Queen Geraldine of Albania. He was called Crown Prince Skander at birth. Leka was the pretender to the Albanian thron ...

). In July 1951,

General Francisco Franco Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter ruled over Spain from 193 ...

's dictatorship in Spain granted asylum to the family.

Education and business career

In Madrid, Simeon studied at the Lycée Français. On 16 June 1955, upon turning 18, in accordance with the Tarnovo Constitution, Simeon read a proclamation to the Bulgarian people, claiming that he was Tsar of Bulgaria and confirming his will to be Tsar of all Bulgarians and to follow the principles contrary to those of the communist regime then ruling Bulgaria. In 1958, he enrolled at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in the United States, where he was known as "Cadet Rylski No. 6883", and he graduated as a second lieutenant. Once again in Spain (between 1959 and 1962), Simeon studied law and business administration. He then became a businessman. For thirteen years, he was chairman of the Spanish subsidiary of Thomson, a French defense and electronics group. He was also an adviser in the banking, hotel, electronics, and catering sectors.

Marriage and issue

On 21 January 1962, Simeon married Spanish aristocrat, '' Doña'' Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela. The couple had five children – four sons (Kardam, Kiril, Kubrat and Konstantin) and a daughter, Kalina, all of whom subsequently married

Spaniards Spaniards, or Spanish people, are a Romance peoples, Romance ethnic group native to Spain. Within Spain, there are a number of National and regional identity in Spain, national and regional ethnic identities that reflect the country's complex Hist ...

. All of his sons received names of Bulgarian Tsars, his daughter has a Bulgarian name, although only four of his eleven grandchildren have Bulgarian names (Boris, Sofia, Mirko and Simeon). *

Kardam Kardam may refer to: People * Kardam of Bulgaria (AD 735–803), ruler of Bulgaria * Kardam, Prince of Turnovo (1962–2015), Bulgarian crown prince (eldest son of King Simeon II) * Kanta Kardam, Indian politician Places * Kardam, Dobrich Provin ...

(1962–2015) married Miriam Ungría y López. They had two sons, Boris and Beltran. * Kiril (born 1964) married María del Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdórfila. They have three children: Mafalda, Olimpia and Tassilo. * Kubrat (born 1965) married Carla María de la Soledad Royo-Villanova y Urrestarazu. They have three sons: Mirko, Lukás and Tirso. * Konstantin-Assen (born 1967) married María García de la Rasilla y Gortázar. They have twins, Umberto and Sofia. * Kalina (born 1972) married Antonio José "Kitín" Muñoz y Valcárcel. They have a son, Simeon Hassan Muñoz.

Political return

In 1990, just months after the fall of communism, Simeon was issued a new Bulgarian passport. In 1996, fifty years after the abolition of the monarchy, Simeon returned to Bulgaria and was met in many places by crowds of approval. He did not, at that point, make any political announcements or moves, as he had already denied in a TV interview (1990) to have any material property claims against Bulgaria. However, these social sentiments gradually disappeared after his premiership, with Simeon making moves to take back large areas or real estate property in Bulgaria that was under the monarchy's governance before 1945. In 2001, Simeon, who had by this time taken the name ''Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha'', announced he would return to Bulgaria to form a new political party, the National Movement Simeon II (later renamed to NMSP), dedicated to "reforms and political integrity." Simeon promised that in 800 days the Bulgarian people would feel tangible positive effects of his government and would enjoy significantly higher standards of living.

Prime minister

NMSP won a large victory in the parliamentary elections held on 17 June 2001, capturing 120 of the 240 seats in Parliament and defeating the two main pre-existing political parties. Simeon was sworn in as

Prime Minister of Bulgaria The prime minister of Bulgaria ( bg, Министър-председател, Ministar-predsedatel) is the head of government of Bulgaria. They are the leader of a political coalition in the Bulgarian parliament – known as the National Assemb ...

on 24 July, forming a coalition with the ethnic Turkish party, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF). He gave ministerial positions in his government mainly to technocrats and Western-educated economic specialists. During his time in power, Bulgaria joined NATO, after he had agreed to enter into the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq. In 2002, he received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation. In the 2005 elections, Simeon's party ranked second and participated in the grand coalition government led by the

and including the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Simeon was given the unofficial ceremonial post of Chairman of the Coalition Council. The party got just 3.01% of the votes and no seats at the parliamentary elections of 2009. Shortly after, on 6 July, Simeon also resigned as NMSP leader.

Views on restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy

Although not yet formally renouncing his claim to the Bulgarian throne, Simeon and his family take part in long orchestrated media campaigns and moves throughout Bulgarian political space. He used the title "Tsar of the Bulgarians" in his political statements during his exile. Since his return to Bulgaria, however, Simeon has consistently avoided revealing his views on the restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy, notwithstanding the original name of his party. Upon taking office as Prime Minister, Simeon swore to uphold the republican constitution.

Autobiography

Simeon wrote an autobiography in French under the title ''Siméon II de Bulgarie, un destin singulier'' that was released in Bulgaria on 28 October 2014. It was first presented at the headquarters of the UNESCO in Paris on 22 October 2014.

Titles and styles

*16 June 1937 – 15 September 1946: ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Turnovo *15 September 1946 – present: ''His Majesty'' Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians (

title of pretense A pretender is someone who claims to be the rightful ruler of a country although not recognized as such by the current government. The term is often used to suggest that a claim is not legitimate.Curley Jr., Walter J. P. ''Monarchs-in-Waiting'' ...

and by courtesy) *24 July 2001 – present: Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha In a statement published on its website on 1 May 2015, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will be referred to as Tsar of Bulgaria in all public and private services held in the dioceses of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Dynastic honours

* House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Knight and Grand Master of the Order of Saints Cyril and MethodiusThe Grand Master of the Bulgarian Orders
– official website of H.M. Simeon II * House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Saint Alexander * House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Bravery * House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Civil Merit * House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Military Merit * House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Recipient of the Coming of age Medal of Tsar Simeon II

National state honours

* : Grand Cross of the Order of Stara Planinahttp://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/
page with Simeon's honours
* Bulgarian Ministry of Defence: Collar of the

Order of Justice An Order of Justice is one of three types of originating process used in the Royal Court of the Island of Jersey (part of the British Isles). It is a combination of the originating process (in England & Wales, for example a "writ") and a stateme ...

Foreign state and dynastic honours

* : Grand Cross of the order of the crown * : Grand Cross of the

Order of the Legion of Honour Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

** Orléans-French royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lazarus * Greek royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Redeemer *

Italian royal family The House of Savoy ( it, Casa Savoia) was a royal dynasty that was established in 1003 in the historical Savoy region. Through gradual expansion, the family grew in power from ruling a small Alps, Alpine County of Savoy, county north-west of Ita ...

: Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation * : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre * : Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta * Two Sicilian royal family: ** Knight of the Royal Order of Saint Januarius ** Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Order of Saint George * : Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance * : Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence * : Grand Collar of the Order of Palestine * Portuguese royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa * Russian imperial family: Knight of the Imperial Order of Saint Andrew * : ** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III ** Knight of the

Order of the Golden Fleece The Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece ( es, Insigne Orden del Toisón de Oro, german: Orden vom Goldenen Vlies) is a Catholic order of chivalry founded in Bruges by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in 1430, to celebrate his marriage ...

National awards

* : Honorary degree of the National Guards Unit of Bulgaria * : Jubilee badge of honour of the Bulgarian Chitalishte community

Foreign awards

* : Paneuropean Union integration award * : Honorary degree of the University of Bucharest * :

Adoptive Son of Madrid This list compiles people awarded with the ''hijo/a predilecto/a'' (predilect son or daughter) and ''hijo/a adoptivo/a'' (adoptive son or daughter) honorary titles by the Madrid municipality. The former referring to Madrid-born people while the l ...

Arms

Patronages

National patronages

* : Patron of the National day of Bulgaria

Ancestry

References

Bibliography

* Ramon Perez-Maura, El rey possible: Simeon de Bulgaria, Belacqua, Madrid, 2002 () * Simeon II de Bulgarie, Sébastien de Courtois, Un destin singulier, Flammarion, 2014 ()

Books

In addition to the books listed in the References, the following may be mentioned: * Walter J.R. Curley, ''Monarchs in Waiting''. London: Hutchinson & Co., 1975. (pp. 23–25: "Bulgaria: His Majesty King Simeon II") * Pashanko Dimitroff, ''Boris III of Bulgaria 1894–1943''. London, 1986. * Charles Fenyvesi, ''Royalty in Exile''. London: Robson Books, 1981. (pp. 153–171: "Czar Simeon of the Bulgars") * Stephane Groueff ''Crown of Thorns'', Lanham MD. and London, 1987. * Gregory Lauder-Frost, ''The Betrayal of Bulgaria'', Monarchist League Policy Paper, London, 1989. * Robert K. Massie and Jeffrey Firestone, ''The Last Courts of Europe''. New York: Greenwich House, 1983. *

Articles

* ''The Daily Telegraph'', Obituary for "HM Queen Ioanna of the Bulgarians", London, 28 February 2000.

External links

King Simeon II
– Personal website
The first website about Simeon II of Bulgaria
focuses on his pre-1995 history
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's statement, 5 July 2002
concerning Bulgaria's candidacy for NATO membership: "The role of the international community should be gradually transformed from crisis response to integration. Palliative measures intended to mitigate yet another crisis cannot bring stability and prosperity. The best solution is the region's integration into the European and Euroatlantic institutions."
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's address, 10 February 2005
concerning amending the constitution to bring it in line with EU requirements, ''Standart'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Simeon II of Bulgaria 1937 births 20th-century monarchs of Bulgaria Simeon Bulgarian people of German descent Bulgarian people of Hungarian descent Bulgarian people of French descent Bulgarian people of Italian descent Leaders ousted by a coup Living people Child monarchs Eastern Orthodox monarchs Politicians from Sofia Exiled royalty Child pretenders Prime ministers of Bulgaria Monarchs deposed as children Victoria College, Alexandria alumni Valley Forge Military Academy and College alumni World War II political leaders Grand Master of the Order of Military Merit (Bulgaria) Recipients of the Order of Bravery Grand Crosses of the Order of the Crown (Belgium) Recipients of the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II Grand Cordons of the Order of Independence (Jordan) Knights of the Holy Sepulchre Bailiffs Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Recipients of the Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910) Grand Officers of the Legion of Honour Knights of the Golden Fleece of Spain Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa Nobility from Sofia Pretenders to the Bulgarian throne