Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

Simeon Sakskoburggotski
48th Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In office
24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005
President Petar Stoyanov
Georgi Parvanov
Deputy
Preceded by Ivan Kostov
Succeeded by Sergei Stanishev
Personal details
Political party Independent (2009–present)
Other political
affiliations		 National Movement for Stability and Progress (2001–2009)
Alma mater Valley Forge Military Academy and College
Tsar of Bulgaria
Reign 28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946
Predecessor Boris III
Successor Monarchy abolished
Vasil Kolarov
as Acting President
Regents
Premiers
7th Head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry
Tenure 14 April 2010 – 2 January 2012
Predecessor Prince Johannes Heinrich
Successor Princess Marie Louise of Bulgaria
Born (1937-06-16) 16 June 1937
Sofia, Kingdom of Bulgaria
Spouse Margarita Gómez-Acebo
Issue
Regnal name
Simeon II of Bulgaria
House Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry
Father Boris III of Bulgaria
Mother Giovanna of Italy
Religion Bulgarian Orthodoxy
Signature

Simeon II of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски, (transliteration: Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski) or Цар Симеон II (Tsar Simeon II); German: Simeon von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha or Simeon von Wettin; Italian: Simeone di Sassonia-Coburgo-Gotha; born 16 June 1937) is the last reigning Bulgarian monarch and later served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005.

During his reign as Simeon II, Tsar of Bulgaria, from 1943 to 1946 he was a minor, the royal authority being exercised over the kingdom on his behalf by a regency led by Simeon's uncle Prince Kiril, General Nikola Mihov and the prime minister, Bogdan Filov. In 1946 the monarchy was abolished as a consequence of a referendum, and Simeon was forced into exile. He returned to his home country in 1996 and formed the political party National Movement for Stability and Progress (NMSP) and became Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria from July 2001 until August 2005.[1] In the next elections he, as a leader of NMSP, took part in a coalition government with the ex-communist party BSP, and in 2009 after NMSP failed to win any seats in the Parliament, he left politics.

Simeon is one of the two last living heads of state from the time of World War II (the other is Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet), the only living person who has borne the title "Tsar", and one of only two former monarchs in history to have become the head of government through democratic elections (the other is the now-deceased Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia).[2]

Royal history

Prince Simeon of Bulgaria

Simeon was born to Boris III and Giovanna of Italy. Following his birth, Boris III sent an air force officer to the River Jordan to obtain water for Simeon's baptism in the Orthodox faith.[3] He acceded 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.[4][5] Since Tsar Simeon was only six years old when he ascended the throne, his uncle Prince Kyril, Prime Minister Bogdan Filov, and Lt. General Nikola Mikhov of the Bulgarian Army were appointed regents.[6]

Under his father, Bulgaria had reluctantly joined the Axis powers in World War II but had 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 1945.[6]

Towards exile

The royal family—Queen Giovanna, Simeon II, and his sister Maria-Louisa—remained at Vrana Palace near Sofia, while three new regents were appointed (Todor Pavlov, Venelin Ganev and Tsvetko Boboshevski). On 15 September 1946, a referendum was held in the presence of the Soviet army. It resulted in a 97% approval for republic and abolition of the monarchy, and the boy-king Simeon was deposed.

On 16 September 1946, the royal family was exiled from Bulgaria. Simeon II has never signed any abdication papers—neither at that moment when he was nine years old and his legal capacity to sign such an instrument would be questionable in any event, nor at any time later. The royal family first went to Alexandria, Egypt, where Queen Giovanna's father Vittorio Emanuele III, the former king of Italy, lived in exile. There, Simeon II finished Victoria College (along with Crown Prince Leka of Albania). In July 1951, General Franco's dictatorship in Spain granted asylum to the family.[7]

Education and business career

In Madrid, Simeon studied at the Lycée Français, but did not graduate. On 16 June 1955, upon turning 18, in accordance with the Tarnovo Constitution Simeon II read his proclamation to the Bulgarian people as the Tsar of Bulgaria, confirming his will to be king of all Bulgarians and follow the principles of the Tarnovo Constitution and free 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",[6] and graduated as a second lieutenant. Once again in Spain (between 1959 and 1962), Simeon studied law and business administration.[8]

He became a businessman. For thirteen years, he was chairman of the Spanish subsidiary of Thomson, a French defence and electronics group. He was also an adviser in the banking, hotel, electronics, and catering sectors.

Monarch in exile

Simeon issued several political declarations during his exile through his "chancellery" in Madrid directed at the Communist regime in Bulgaria and his exiled compatriots. His early attempts at forming an official government in exile did not come to fruition, however.

Marriage and issue

On 21 January 1962, Simeon married a Spanish aristocrat, Doña Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela. The couple have had five children – four sons (Kardam, Kiril, Kubrat and Konstantin) and a daughter, Kalina, all of whom subsequently married Spaniards.[6] All of his sons received names of Bulgarian kings, his daughter has a Bulgarian name, although only two of his eleven grandchildren have Bulgarian names (Boris and Sofia).

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 cheering: "We want our King!"[9] He did not, at that point, make any political announcements or moves. However, these monarchist sentiments gradually disappeared after his premiership and specifically during his coalition as a leader of NMSP with the ex-Communist Party, together with changing of generations; since today the majority of voters were born after the fall of the monarchy.

Various estates in Bulgaria that had been nationalised during the Communist era were returned to Simeon and his family. 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 (NMSII) (later renamed to NMSP), dedicated to "reforms and political integrity."[10] 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.[11]

Prime Minister

For details on his cabinet, see: Sakskoburggotski Government

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 gave an oath as Prime Minister of Bulgaria 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. In 2002, he received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation.[12]

In the 2005 elections, Simeon's party ranked second and participated in the grand coalition government led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party and including the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Simeon II was given the unofficial ceremonial post of Chairman of the Coalition Council.[10]

The party got just 3.01% of votes and no seats at the parliamentary elections of 2009. Shortly after, on 6 July, Simeon also resigned as NMSP leader.[13]

Views on restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy

Simeon II has never formally renounced his claim to the Bulgarian throne. He used the title "Tsar of the Bulgarians" in his political statements during his exile. Since his return to Bulgaria, however, Simeon has consistently declined to reveal his views on the restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy, notwithstanding the name of his party. Upon taking office as prime minister, he took an oath to protect the country's republican constitution.

Autobiography

Simeon II wrote an autobiography in French under the title Simeon II de Bulgarie, un destin singulier that was released in Bulgaria on 28 October 2014.[14] It was first presented at the headquarters of the UNESCO in Paris on 22 October 2014.[15][16]

Heir to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry

Sakskoburggotski in 2015

After the death of his distant cousin Prince Johannes Heinrich of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in April 2010 and due to the exclusion of the late prince's uncle Philipp and his descendants from his morganatic marriage with Sarah Aurelia Halasz, Simeon became the Head of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry, former magnates of Hungary and heir to the castles of Čabraď and Sv. Anton, both in modern-day Slovakia. In early 2012, he nominally ceded his rights (and those of his children) to the headship of the House and the title "Princess of Koháry" to his sister Marie Louise.[17] In a statement published on its website on 1 May 2015, the Bulgarian Patriarchy announced that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha will be referred to as king of Bulgaria in all public and private services held in the dioceses of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.[18]

Longevity

Simeon turned 80 years old on 16 June 2017. If he lives to 31 December 2024, he will become the longest-lived head of state in Bulgarian history at 87 years, 198 days, surpassing Ferdinand I who holds the current record at 87 years, and 197 days when he died on 10 September 1948.

Titles, styles, honours and awards

Styles of
Simeon II of the Bulgarians
Reference style His Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Sir
Mr. Prime Minister
(2001-2005)

Titles and styles

  • 16 June 1937 – 28 August 1943: His Royal Highness The Prince of Tarnovo, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Saxony
  • 28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946: His Majesty The King of the Bulgarians
  • 15 September 1946 – present: His Majesty The King of the Bulgarians (used as a title of pretense and courtesy during his exile)
    • 24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005: His Excellency Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha[19] (within Bulgaria)
    • 17 August 2005 – present: Mr Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (within Bulgaria)

Dynastic honours

National state honours

Foreign state and dynastic honours

National awards

Foreign awards

Arms

Arms of Simeon II as Sovereign
of Bulgaria (1943–1946)
Personal arms of Simeon II

Patronages

National patronages

Foreign patronages

Ancestors

See also

References

    1. ↑ "Bulgaria". BBC – Country Profiles. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
    2. ↑ Paskalev, Vesco (2016). "Bulgarian Constitutionalism: Challenges, Reform, Resistance and . . . Frustration". European Public Law. 22: 203–223.
    3. ↑ Kate Connolly. "Once upon a time in Bulgaria". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    4. ↑ "Bulgarian Rule Goes to Son, 6. Reports on 5-Day Illness Conflict", United Press dispatch of 28 August 1943, in a cutting from an unknown newspaper in the collection of historian James L. Cabot, Ludington, Michigan
    5. ↑ Theo Aronson, Crowns in Conflict, p.202. London: John Murray (Publishers) Ltd., 1986. ISBN 0-7195-4279-0
    6. 1 2 3 4 Geoffrey Hindley, The Royal Families of Europe, p. 156. London: Lyric Books Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-07-093530-0
    7. ↑ "History of King Simeon II". King Simeon.
    8. ↑ Lilov 2013, p. 89.
    9. ↑ "Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha – Prime Minister of Bulgaria". Archived from the original on 2006-05-06. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
    10. 1 2 Lilov 2013, p. 91.
    11. ↑ Lilov 2013, p. 93.
    12. ↑ "The Path to Peace Foundation homepage". Thepathtopeacefoundation.org\accessdate=24 July 2015.
    13. ↑ "Симеон Сакскобургготски подаде оставка" (in Bulgarian). Труд. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
    14. ↑ Un destin singulier. Paris: Flammarion. 29 October 2014. ISBN 9782081314672.
    15. ↑ "Simeon II of Bulgaria presents a preview of his autobiography at UNESCO". UNESCO. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    16. ↑ BULGARIA, SIMEÓN II DE. "Simeón II de Bulgaria". Ediciones Paraninfo, S.A. – via Google Books.
    17. ↑ Paul Theroff. "Bulgaria". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    18. ↑ "Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Enthroned by Holy Synod – News – BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY". Bta.bg. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    19. ↑ "Letter from Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha to President Bush (September 13)". Bulgaria-embassy.org. 13 September 2001. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Blogspot.com, King Simeon wearing his orders and medal at the Luxembourg Royal wedding
    21. ↑ "Editorial & News Images: News Photography, Pictures, Awards, Events, Sports, Celebrity Photos – Getty Images". corbisimages.com.
    22. 1 2 3 4 5 Blogspot.com, King Simeon wearing his orders at the Swedish Royal wedding
    23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/, King Simeon wearing his orders in an official photo
    24. ↑ "Photographic image" (JPG). Kingsimeon.bg. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
    25. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Великият магистър на българските ордени". Kingsimeon.bg. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    26. ↑ "Oct 19 – King Simeon II of Bulgaria and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria attend the Gala dinner in Luxembourg. | BULGARIA ( NO REINANTE )". Pinterest. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/, page with Simeon's honours
    28. ↑ "Speech by King Simeon II at the ceremony of his award of the Stara Planina Order, Ist degree – H.R.H. King Simeon II". Speech by King Simeon II at the ceremony of his award of the Stara Planina Order, Ist degree – H.R.H. King Simeon II.
    29. ↑ "One World magazine – COUBURGS". Oneworld-bg.net. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    30. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Симеон II получи най-високото отличие на Министерството на правосъдието". Kingsimeon.bg. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    31. ↑ "Queen Anne of Romania and Princess Lilian of Belgium followed by King... News Photo". Getty Images. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    32. ↑ Noblesse et Royautés, Photo Archived 2013-03-17 at the Wayback Machine. of Simeon II and Margarita, with the Star of the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Belgian Crown.
    33. ↑ http://www.kingsimeon.bg/wp-content/gallery/gallery-106/gallery-106_031.jpg
    34. ↑ "Photographic image" (JPG). 1.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
    35. ↑ "Photographic image" (JPG). Tb.ziareromania.ro. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
    36. ↑ "radical royalist: 25 years ago Empress Zita of Austria passed away". Radicalroyalist.blogspot.co.uk. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    37. ↑ "The Royal family attended the reception on the occasion of the Day of St. John the Baptist, patron of the Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II". The Royal family attended the reception on the occasion of the Day of St. John the Baptist, patron of the Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II.
    38. ↑ http://www.kingsimeon.bg/wp-content/gallery/gallery-106/gallery-106_002.jpg
    39. ↑ "The Majesties attended the celebrations of the 900th anniversary of the Sovereign Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II". The Majesties attended the celebrations of the 900th anniversary of the Sovereign Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II.
    40. ↑ The Royal House of the Two Sicilies (2008). "MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL ILLUSTRIUOS ORDER OF ST. JANUARIUS". g/ The Royal House of the Two Sicilies. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
    41. ↑ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (2008). "Membership of the Constantinian Order". g/ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
    42. ↑ "SAINTANNA.RU – Кавалеры 1-й степени". saintanna.ru. Archived from the original on 2012-03-28.
    43. ↑ "SAINTANNA.RU – List of recipients". saintanna.ru. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23.
    44. ↑ "Prince Leka of Albania".
    45. ↑ BOLETIN OFICIAL DEL ESTADO (2 October 2004). "BOE 238 de 02/10/2004 Sec 3 Pag 33224 a. 33224" (PDF). Retrieved 23 September 2015.
    46. ↑ "King Simeon II of Bulgaria Photos – Zimbio". M.zimbio.com. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    47. ↑ "7 julio 1955 B. O. del E—Núm. 188" (PDF). 28 May 2009. p. 4084. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
    48. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Н.В. Цар Симеон ІІ получи медал и грамота в чест на 125-ата годишнина на 9-и пехотен полк на Княгиня Клементина". Kingsimeon.bg. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    49. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Негово Величество получи почетния знак на българските читалища". Kingsimeon.bg. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    50. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Н. В. Цар Симеон ІІ бе удостоен с наградата на Паневропейския съюз за големия му принос за европейската интеграция на България". Kingsimeon.bg. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    51. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Под заглавие "Ексклузивно от Букурещ – Симеон II посрещнат с почести" списание Hello публикува три страници за посещението на Техни Величества в румънската столица". Kingsimeon.bg. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    52. ↑ "Н.В. Цар Симеон II | Новини -> Царят е патрон на Деня на България в Загреб". Kingsimeon.bg. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
    53. ↑ Sobola, Marek (2017). Príbeh svätojánsky, Socha sv. Jána Nepomuckého v Divine / The Story of St. John, Statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Divina / ដំណើររឿងរបស់ St. John, រូបចម្លាក់ St. John Nepomuk នៅក្រុង Divina / Die Johannisgeschichte, Die Staute des hl. Johannes Nepomuk in Divina / Историята на св. Ян, Статуята на св. Ян Непомуцки в Дивина. Slovakia: Servare et Manere, o. z. & Kysucké múzeum v Čadci. pp. 77–79. ISBN 978-80-972614-3-6.
    54. ↑ www.tkkbs.sk. "Biskup Galis požehnal obnovenú sochu sv. Jána Nepomuckého v Divine". tkkbs.sk. Retrieved 2017-07-29.

    Bibliography

    • Ramon Perez-Maura, El rey possible: Simeon de Bulgaria, Belacqua, Madrid, 2002 ( ISBN 8495894238)
    • Simeon II de Bulgarie, Sébastien de Courtois, Un destin singulier, Flammarion, 2014 ( ISBN 9782081314672)

    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. ISBN 0-86332-140-2
    • Charles Fenyvesi, Royalty in Exile. London: Robson Books, 1981. (pp. 153–171: "Czar Simeon of the Bulgars") ISBN 0-86051-131-6
    • Stephane Groueff Crown of Thorns, Lanham MD. and London, 1987. ISBN 0-8191-5778-3
    • 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. ISBN 0-517-41472-4

    Lilov, Grigor (2013). Най-богатите българи (1st ed.). Sofia: „Кайлас” ЕООД. ISBN 978-954-92098-9-1.

    Articles

    • The Daily Telegraph, Obituary for "HM Queen Ioanna of the Bulgarians", London, 28 February 2000.
    Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
    Cadet branch of the House of Wettin
    Born: 16 June 1937
    Regnal titles
    Preceded by
    Boris III    		 Tsar of Bulgaria
    1943–1946    		 Vacant
    Government offices
    Preceded by
    Boris III
    as Tsar of Bulgaria    		 Head of State of Bulgaria
    as Tsar of Bulgaria
    1943–1946    		 Succeeded by
    Vasil Kolarov
    as Acting President of Bulgaria
    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Ivan Kostov    		 Prime Minister of Bulgaria
    2001–2005    		 Succeeded by
    Sergei Stanishev
    Titles in pretence
    New title
    		 — TITULAR —
    Tsar of Bulgaria
    1946–present    		 Incumbent
    Heir:
    Boris
    Preceded by
    HH Prince Alexander Ernst of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha    		 Line of succession to the former Saxe-Coburg and Gotha throne
    9th position    		 Succeeded by
    Boris
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