Simeon II of Bulgaria

Simeon Sakskoburggotski as Prime Minister of Bulgaria

Simeon II (born June 16, 1937) was the last Tsar of Bulgaria from 1943 to 1946, and is the current Prime Minister of Bulgaria. He now uses the name Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski but is often known outside Bulgaria as Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which is the standard English form of his family name. He is the only monarch in history to regain political power through democratic election to a different office (see Norodom Sihanouk for the nearest similar history).

Simeon II, Tsar of Bulgaria, 1944

Simeon was baptized with water taken from the River Jordan and flown to Bulgaria by an air force major. He became Tsar on August 28 1943 upon the sudden death of his father, Tsar Boris III. Since he was still a minor, his uncle, Prince Kyril of Bulgaria was appointed regent. In 1944, Kyril and most of the senior members of his government were killed in a Soviet-backed coup, but Simeon was allowed to stay on the throne. A 1946 referendum voted to abolish the monarchy, but the royal family chose to flee the country rather than have Simeon abdicate.

They initially fled to Egypt, before settling in Madrid. In Spain, Simeon studied law and business administration, and went on to become a successful businessman.

Portrait of Simeon II

In 2001 Simeon returned to Bulgaria, and was elected leader of the newly-formed National Movement for Simeon II. In elections held later that year, the NMS won 119 out of 240 seats in Parliament. On July 24, 2001, Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha was sworn in as Prime Minister of Bulgaria. He has remained coy on whether he believes Bulgaria should restore the monarchy, saying it is a matter for "the people" to decide. As he never formally abdicated he retains the claim to his royal title and has not renounced it.

Simeon II of Bulgaria

See also