Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Bulgarian: Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски, romanized: Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, [simeˈɔn boˈrisof sakskoburˈɡɔtski]; 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.[1] In 1946, the monarchy was abolished by a referendum, forcing Simeon into exile. 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.[2]
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
| |
|---|---|
 Simeon in 2017 | |
| Prime Minister of Bulgaria | |
| In office 24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005 | |
| President | Petar Stoyanov Georgi Parvanov |
| Deputy | Nikolay Vasilev Lydia Shuleva Kostadin Paskalev Plamen Panayotov |
| Preceded by | Ivan Kostov |
| Succeeded by | Sergey Stanishev |
| Leader of the National Movement Simeon the Second party[lower-alpha 1] | |
| In office 6 April 2002 – 28 November 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Hristina Hristova |
| Tsar of Bulgaria | |
| In office 28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946 | |
| Regent | See list
|
| Prime Ministers | |
| Preceded by | Boris III |
| Succeeded by | Monarchy abolished Vasil Kolarov (as Acting President) |
| Born | 16 June 1937 Vrana Palace, Sofia, Tsardom of Bulgaria |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | |
| House | Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry |
| Father | Boris III of Bulgaria |
| Mother | Giovanna of Italy |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox |
| Signature |  |
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.
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, 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.
As of 20 July 2024[update], Simeon is one of only two living men who were heads of states during World War II, along with the 14th Dalai Lama, although both held mostly symbolic roles in their government's position.
Royal history
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 to obtain water for Simeon's baptism in the Orthodox faith.[3] 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.[4][5] Since Simeon was only six years old, his uncle Prince Kiril, Prime Minister Bogdan Filov, and Lt. General Nikola Mihov of the Bulgarian Army were appointed regents.[6]
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 Kiril 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.[6]
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.[7] 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). In July 1951, General Francisco Franco's dictatorship in Spain granted asylum to the family.[8]
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",[6] and he graduated as a second lieutenant. Once again in Spain (between 1959 and 1962), Simeon studied law and business administration.[9]
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.[6] 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 (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.[10] 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."[11] 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.[12]
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 on 24 July, forming a coalition with the ethnic Turkish-led 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, he received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation in 2002.[13] Bulgaria next joined NATO and joined the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq.
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 was given the unofficial ceremonial post of Chairman of the Coalition Council.[11]
In the 2009 elections, the party got just 3.01% of the votes and no parliamentary seats. Shortly after, on 6 July, Simeon also resigned as NMSP leader.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16] It was first presented at the headquarters of the UNESCO in Paris on 22 October 2014.[17][18]
Titles and styles
- 16 June 1937 – 15 September 1946: His Royal Highness The Prince of Turnovo[19]
- 15 September 1946 – present: His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians[20] (title of pretense and by courtesy)
- 24 July 2001 – present: Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha[21]
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.[22]
Dynastic honours
House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Knight and Grand Master of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius[23]- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Saint Alexander[23]
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Bravery[23]
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Civil Merit[23]
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Military Merit[23]
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Recipient of the Coming of age Medal of Tsar Simeon II
National state honours
- Bulgaria: Grand Cross of the Order of Stara Planina[24][25][26]
- Bulgarian Ministry of Defence: Collar of the Order of Justice[27]
Foreign state and dynastic honours
Belgium: Grand Cross of the order of the crown [24][28]
France: Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour[24]
Orléans-French royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lazarus[24]
Greek royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Redeemer[24]
Italian royal family: Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation[24]
Vatican: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre[24]
Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta[24][29][30]
Two Sicilian royal family:
- Knight of the Royal Order of Saint Januarius[24][31]
- Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Order of Saint George[24][32]
Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance[33]- Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence[24]
Palestine: Grand Collar of the Order of Palestine[34]
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[35][36]
Spain:
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III[24][37]
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece[24][38][39]
National awards
- Bulgaria: Honorary degree of the National Guards Unit of Bulgaria[40]
- Bulgaria: Jubilee badge of honour of the Bulgarian Chitalishte community[41]
Foreign awards
European Union: Paneuropean Union integration award[42]
Romania: Honorary degree of the University of Bucharest[43]- Spain: Adoptive Son of Madrid[44]
Arms
 Arms of the Sovereign of Bulgaria (1943–1946) |
 Personal arms of Simeon |
Patronages
National patronages
- Bulgaria: Patron of the National day of Bulgaria[45]
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha |
|---|
See also
- The Boy Who Was a King, a 2011 Bulgarian documentary by Andrey Paounov.
- House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
References
Bibliography
External links
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