Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

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Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
2017-07-04-MMPF-WP-IMG 7624.jpg
48th Prime Minister of Bulgaria
In office
24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005
PresidentPetar Stoyanov
Georgi Parvanov
Nikolay Vasilev
Lydia Shuleva (2001–2005)
Kostadin Paskalev (2001–2002)
Plamen Panayotov (2003–2005)
Preceded byIvan Kostov
Succeeded bySergei Stanishev
Personal details
Born (1937-06-16) 16 June 1937 (age 84)
Sofia, Kingdom of Bulgaria
Political partyIndependent (2009–present)
Other political
affiliations		National Movement Simeon II (2001–2009)
Spouse(s)
ChildrenKardam, Prince of Turnovo
Kyril, Prince of Preslav
Kubrat, Prince of Panagyurishte
Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin
Princess Kalina, Countess of Murany
ParentsBoris III of Bulgaria
Giovanna of Italy
Alma materValley Forge Military Academy and College
Tsar of Bulgaria
Reign28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946 (through Regents' council)
PredecessorBoris III
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
Vasil Kolarov (as Acting President)
Regent
See list
Premiers
See list
HouseSaxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry
ReligionEastern Orthodox
SignatureSimeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's signature
Bulgarian royal family
Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bulgaria

HM King Simeon II, The Tsar
HM Queen Margarita, The Tsaritsa

HRH Princess Marie Louise, The Princess of Koháry
  • v
  • t

Simeon Borisov von Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Bulgarian: Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски, Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski, [simeˈɔn boˈrisof sakskoburˈgɔtski]; born 16 June 1937) is a Bulgarian politician, last heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Bulgaria, who had never served as reigning Tsar of Bulgaria due to his minor age at the time his father Boris III of Bulgaria died (1943) and the fact that monarchy in Bulgaria was abolished (1946). Later Simeon served as Prime Minister of Republic of Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005.

Simeon was a six year old minor when the royal authority had been taken to be exercised 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 in Spain. He returned to his home country in 1996, formed the political party National Movement Simeon II (NMSP) and was elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria from July 2001 until August 2005.[1] In the next elections, as a leader of NMSP, he took part in a coalition government with the Bulgarian Socialist Party. In 2009, after NMSP failed to win any seats in Parliament, he left politics.

Although referred by media outlets and his numerous associates as (former) Tsar, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has never been crowned and led into the powers of Bulgarian monarchy. On 24 July 2001 he gave his official oath in the name of Republic of Bulgaria to serve as Prime Minister.[2]

Royal history[]

Prince Simeon as a baby
Prince Simeon of Bulgaria

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 was pointed to accede 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] Then a massive media campaign was launched throughout Bulgaria in the name of living "Tsar" to uphold the national spirit during heavy War-times, although it was far from the necessary legal grounds, official oath and etc. 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 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, 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 95.6% approval for republic and abolition of the monarchy. [7]

On 16 September 1946, the royal family was exiled from Bulgaria while given a way to take out large amount of movable property along with the train composition. They first went to Alexandria, Egypt, where Queen Giovanna's father Vittorio Emanuele III, the former king of Italy, lived in exile. There, in 1951 Simeon finished Victoria College (along with Crown Prince Leka of Albania). In July 1951, General 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 he is Tsar of Bulgaria, confirming his will to be Tsar of all Bulgarians and to follow the principles contrary to then ruled by communist regime 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.[9]

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

  • Kardam (1962 – 7 April 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 two daughters, Mafalda and Olimpia, and one son, 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 one 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 and specifically along his moves to take back large areas or real estate property in Bulgaria that was under the monarchy 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[]

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 Republic 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, after he had agreed to enter into the USA led coalition against Iraq. In 2002, he received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation.[13]

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]

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.[14]

Views on restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy[]

Although not yet formally renounced his claim to Bulgarian throne, Simeon and his family take part in long orchestrated media campaign and moves throughout Bulgarian political space. Since he was a minor at the time of the Monarchy, his legal capacity to hold such claim in a clear manner would have been questionable at best. 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 to reveal his views on the restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy, notwithstanding the original name of his party, [15] while keeping himself away from media who do not refer to him as a monarch.

Autobiography[]

Simeon wrote an autobiography in French under the title Simeon 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]

Simeon II in 2015

Longevity[]

Simeon turned 80 years old on 16 June 2017, at which time Ferdinand I held the record for the longest-lived head of state in Bulgarian history, having been 87 years, and 197 days old when he died, on 10 September 1948.

Titles, styles, honours and awards[]

Styles of
Simeon II of the Bulgarians
Royal Monogram of King Simeon II of Bulgaria.svg
Reference styleHis Majesty
Spoken styleYour Majesty

Titles and styles[]

  • 15 September 1946 – present: (unofficial and legally disputed) His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians[19] (title of pretense and by courtesy)
    • 24 July 2001 – present: Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha[20]

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 Tsar of Bulgaria in all public and private services held in the dioceses of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.[21]

Dynastic honours[]

National state honours[]

Foreign state and dynastic honours[]

National awards[]

Foreign awards[]

Arms[]

Larger Sovereign Arms of Bulgaria 1929-1946.svg
Arms of the Sovereign of Bulgaria (1943–1946)
 Personal Arms of Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria.svg
Personal arms of Simeon

Patronages[]

National patronages[]

Foreign patronages[]

Ancestry[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Bulgaria". BBC – Country Profiles. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Leader: Bulgaria's Simeon leads by example". 13 July 2001 – via www.theguardian.com.
  3. ^ Kate Connolly (20 June 2001). "Once upon a time in Bulgaria". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. 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. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Geoffrey Hindley, The Royal Families of Europe, p. 156. London: Lyric Books Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-07-093530-0
  7. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p. 375 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  8. ^ "History of King Simeon II". King Simeon. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  9. ^ Lilov 2013, p. 89.
  10. ^ "Симеон: Нямам материални имуществени претенции към България". quoted video in a follow up conversation.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Lilov 2013, p. 91.
  12. ^ Lilov 2013, p. 93.
  13. ^ "The Path to Peace Foundation homepage". Thepathtopeacefoundation.org\accessdate=24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  14. ^ "Симеон Сакскобургготски подаде оставка" (in Bulgarian). Труд. 6 July 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  15. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252086513_Will_Bulgaria_Become_Monarchy_Again
  16. ^ Un destin singulier. Paris: Flammarion. 29 October 2014. ISBN 9782081314672.
  17. ^ "Simeon II of Bulgaria presents a preview of his autobiography at UNESCO". UNESCO. 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  18. ^ Simeón II de Bulgaria (1 June 2016). Simeón II de Bulgaria. Ediciones Paraninfo, S.A. ISBN 9788484597285. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ Biography: His Majesty King Simeon II of the Bulgarians - official website of H.M. Tsar Simeon II
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ "Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Enthroned by Holy Synod – News – BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY". Bta.bg. Archived from the original on 18 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e The Grand Master of the Bulgarian Orders - official website of H.M. Simeon II
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/ Archived 29 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine, page with Simeon's honours Archived 27 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  25. ^ "One World magazine – COUBURGS". Oneworld-bg.net. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  26. ^ "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.
  27. ^ "Queen Anne of Romania and Princess Lilian of Belgium followed by King... News Photo". Getty Images. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  28. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  29. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  30. ^ "MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL ILLUSTRIUOS ORDER OF ST. JANUARIUS". g/ The Royal House of the Two Sicilies. 2008. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
  31. ^ "Membership of the Constantinian Order". g/ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2008.
  32. ^ "SAINTANNA.RU – Кавалеры 1-й степени". saintanna.ru. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012.
  33. ^ "SAINTANNA.RU – List of recipients". saintanna.ru. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012.
  34. ^ "7 julio 1955 B. O. del E—Núm. 188" (PDF). 28 May 2009. p. 4084. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  35. ^ "BOE 238 de 02/10/2004 Sec 3 Pag 33224 a. 33224" (PDF). Boletin Oficial Del Estado. 2 October 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  36. ^ "King Simeon II of Bulgaria Photos – Zimbio". M.zimbio.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  37. ^ "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.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ "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.
  41. ^ "Simeón de Bulgaria recibe el título de hijo adoptivo de Madrid". El Mundo. 30 September 2004.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ "Biskup Galis požehnal obnovenú sochu sv. Jána Nepomuckého v Divine". tkkbs.sk. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.

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

Articles[]

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

External links[]

Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Cadet branch of the House of Wettin
Born: 16 June 1937
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Boris III of Bulgaria 		Tsar of Bulgaria
1943–1946 		Vacant
Political offices
Preceded by
Ivan Kostov 		Prime Minister of Bulgaria
2001–2005 		Succeeded by
Sergei Stanishev
Preceded by
Prince Alexander Ernst 		Line of succession to the former Saxe-Coburg and Gotha throne
9th position 		Succeeded by
Prince Boris
Retrieved from ""