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Simeon II / Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha / Simeon Sakskoburggotski
Tsar of Bulgaria (Royal), Chairman of the Coalition (Political)
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha as Prime Minister of Bulgaria
Reign	28 August 1943 - 15 September 1946
Born	June 16, 1937 (1937-06-16) (age 70)
	Sofia, Bulgaria
Predecessor	Boris III of Bulgaria
Successor	Kingdom abolished, Communist Republic declared Vasil Kolarov (President)
Consort	Margarita Gomez-Acebo y Cejuela
Issue	Kardam, Prince of Turnovo Kyrill, Prince of Preslav Kubrat, Prince of Panagiurishte Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin Princess Kalina of Bulgaria
Royal House	Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Father	Boris III
Mother	Giovanna di Savoia, Princess of Italy

Styles of King Simeon II of The Bulgarians
Reference style	His Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty
Alternative style	Sir

Simeon II of Bulgaria or Simeon of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (born June 16, 1937) was head of state as the Tsar of Bulgaria, Tsar Simeon II, from 1943 to 1946. He served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2001 until August 2005. He is known in the English speaking world as Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which is an English form of his family's original German name Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha. He is still mostly referred to as Tsar Simeon II, or simply "The Tsar" ("Царят").

Simeon II is one of the last living heads of state from the World War II era and he is also the only monarch in history who later became head of the government in democratic nation-wide elections. His landslide election victory came after 50 years of exile imposed on his family by the communists. It was a first for Bulgaria, for Europe, and for the world.

Simeon II, along with British Queen Elizabeth II and Belgian King Albert II, belongs to the House of Wettin. Simeon II is a Knight of the Golden Fleece.

Contents 1 Royal history 2 Path to exile 3 Exile in Spain 3.1 Career 3.2 Political activities in exile 4 Marriage and family 5 Political return 6 After 2005 7 Views on restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy 8 Ancestors 9 References 10 Bibliography 10.1 Books 10.2 Articles 11 See also 12 External links

See also: Ancestry of royals of Bulgaria

Simeon is the son of Tsar Boris III and Tsaritsa Giovanna. He became Tsar on August 28, 1943 upon the death of his father, shortly after his return to Bulgaria from a meeting with Adolf Hitler.^[1] Since Tsar Simeon was only six years old upon assuming the throne, his uncle Prince Kyril of Bulgaria, Prime Minister Bogdan Filov and Army General Mihov were appointed regents.^[2]

On 5 September 1944 the Soviet Union declared war on Bulgaria and, on 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.^[3] Executions of eminent representatives of the high and middle class of Bulgaria continued till the 1950s and the State Gazette issues of those days are full of names of thousands of people who are reported as "disappeared with no trace" ("bezsledno izcheznal").^[4]

The Royal family (Queen Giovanna, Simeon II and his sister Maria-Louisa) remained at Vrana Palace, near Sofia and new communistic "regents" were appointed. In her Memoirs Queen Giovanna remembers that the Soviet soldiers used to entertain themselves by shooting at random in the direction where she was walking with the children. On 15 September 1946 a referendum was held in the presence of the Soviet army in Bulgaria. It resulted in over 97% approval for the newly established Soviet republic and abolished the monarchy. On 16 September 1946 the royal family was exiled from Bulgaria. However, Simeon II has never signed any abdication papers. The royal family first went to Alexandria, Egypt, where Queen Giovanna's father Victor Emanuel III, King of Italy, lived in exile.^[5] There Simeon II finished Victoria College (along with Crown Prince Leka of Albania). In July 1951 the Spanish government of Francisco Franco granted asylum to the exiled family.

Titular Bulgarian Royal Family

HM The Tsar HM The Tsaritsa HRH The Prince of Turnovo HRH The Princess of Turnovo HRH Prince Boris HRH Prince Beltran HRH The Prince of Preslav HRH The Princess of Preslav HRH Princess Mafalda HRH Princess Olimpia HRH Prince Tassilo HRH The Prince of Panagiurishte HRH The Princess of Panagiurishte HRH Prince Mirko HRH Prince Lukás HRH Prince Tirso HRH The Prince of Vidin HRH The Princess of Vidin HRH Prince Umberto HRH Princess Sofia HRH Princess Kalina HRH Princess Marie Louise Pedigree: Bulgarian ancestry of royals of Bulgaria

In Madrid Simeon II graduated from the Lycée Français and studied law and political science. In 1955, upon turning eighteen, he read his proclamation to the Bulgarian people as the Tsar of Bulgaria, in accordance with the Tarnovo Constitution. 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, Simeon studied law and business administration, and went on to become a businessman.

Simeon spent most of his adult life working : for thirteen years he was chairman of the Spanish subsidiary of Thomson, a French defence and electronics group, and he was also an advisor in the banking, hotel, electronics, and catering sectors.

Simeon issued several political declarations during his exile through his Royal 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.^{[citation needed]}

In 1962 Simeon married a member of the Spanish aristocracy, Doña Margarita Gomez-Acebo y Cejuela. The couple had five children — four sons (Kardam, Kyril, Kubrat and Konstantin) and a daughter, Kalina, all of whom subsequently married Spaniards.^[7] All of his sons received names of Bulgarian kings.

• Kardam (born 1962) married Doña Miriam Ungria y López. They have two sons, Boris and Beltran.
• Kyrill (born 1964) married Doña Rosario Nadal y Fuster-Puigdorfila. They have two daughters, HRH Mafalda and Olimpia, and one son, Tassilo.
• Kubrat (born 1965) married Doña Carla Maria Royo-Villanova y Urrestarazu. They have three sons: Mirko, Lukás and Tirso.
• Konstantin-Assen (born 1967) married Doña María Garcia de la Rasilla y Gortazar. They have twins, Umberto and Sofia.
• Kalina (born 1972) married Don Antonio "Kitín" Muñoz Valcárcel. They have one son, Simeon.

Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
47th Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
In office 24 July 2001 – 17 August 2005
Preceded by	Ivan Kostov
Succeeded by	Sergey Stanishev
Nationality	Bulgarian
Political party	NDSV
Signature

In 1996, fifty years after the 1946 referendum which was held by the Soviet army, Simeon II returned to Bulgaria and was met everywhere by huge crowds, cheering: “We want our King!" ^[8] He did not, at that point, make any political announcements or political moves.

Some of the royal estates in Bulgaria which were built with the personal money of Princess Clementine and king Ferdinand and that had been expropriated under Communism were duly returned to the Bulgarian royal family. In 2001 Simeon II proclaimed his will to return to Bulgaria for the common good and announced the formation of a new political party, the National Movement Simeon II ("NMSII"), dedicated to "reforms and political integrity." Simeon II himself promised a period of 800 days, after which the Bulgarian people would feel the positive effects of his government and would have higher standard of living.

Simeon II won a large victory in the nation-wide elections held on June 17, 2001, NMSII won 120 out of 240 seats in Parliament, overturning the two pre-existing political parties. Simeon gave an oath as Prime Minister of Bulgaria on July 24, 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. In 2002 his efforts were recognised by his receiving the 2002 Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation.^[9] In 2005, Simeon participated in a new coalition government with the Bulgarian Socialist Party and Turkish ethnic party Movement for Rights & Freedom.

Simeon's popularity declined during his four-year rule as Prime Minister. In particular, the 800 days economic quick fix program did not meet popular expectations. The development of Bulgaria's capital markets have moved forward, with the first Eurolev issue in 2004. During his time in power, Bulgaria became a member of NATO and accelerated its accession to the EU.

At the elections held on June 25, 2005, Simeon's party, polled 20% of the vote and remained a second political power, being overtaken by the Socialists (31%). No single party won a majority of seats. As NDSV was initially unwilling to join a coalition with the Bulgarian Socialist party (BSP), BSP tried to form a coalition government with the third political power - the Turkish ethnic party MRF. The new coalition was headed on July 20 by Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev of the Bulgarian Socialist Party. After a close-run failure at the Parliament to win a majority of votes to form a new government, the Bulgarian Socialist Party renewed negotiations with the NDSV. After three weeks of deliberation, Simeon II agreed on 15 August to join a three-party coalition government headed by Stanishev. The new coalition government includes the Bulgarian Socialist Party, National Movement Simeon II and the ethnic Turkish party (Movement for Rights & Freedom). Simeon II was given the unofficial ceremonial post of Chairman of the Coalition's Council.

Simeon has always declined to comment on whether he believes Bulgaria should restore the monarchy, saying it is a matter for the people of Bulgaria to decide. At the Parliament he gave an oath as a Prime Minister before the republican constitution and, for the first time after 1944, before the Holy Bible. High-ranking representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church declared that they would join an eventual discussion about the restoration of monarchy. However, it has to be taken into account that more than 50% of the orthodox church clergy in Bulgaria was part of the communistic pro-Soviet state security services.^{[citation needed]}

Simeon does not take part in political debates. He wishes to be King of his entire people, regardless of political affiliation stating, "The monarch's role is moderation ... to be above parties and politics ... " ^[10]

16. Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 4th Prince of Kohary

8. August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 5th Prince of Kohary

17. Maria Antonia Koháry de Csábrág

4. Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

18. Louis-Philippe of France

9. Princess Clémentine of Orléans

19. Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies

2. Boris III of Bulgaria

20. Charles III, Duke of Parma

10. Robert I, Duke of Parma

21. Louise Marie Thérèse of France

5. Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma

22. Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies

11. Princess Maria Pia of the Two Sicilies

23. Maria Theresa of Austria

1. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

24. Victor Emmanuel II of Italy

12. Umberto I of Italy

25. Maria Adelaide of Austria

6. Victor Emmanuel III of Italy

26. Ferdinand, 1st Duke of Genoa

13. Margherita of Savoy

27. Princess Elizabeth of Saxony

3. Giovanna of Italy

28. Mirko Petrović Njegoš

14. Nicholas I of Montenegro

29. Anastasija Martinović

7. Elena of Montenegro

30. Petar Vukotić

15. Milena Vukotić

31. Jelena Voivodić

• Curley, Walter J.P. (1975) Monarchs in Waiting, London: Hutchinson & Co. (pp.23-25: "Bulgaria: His Majesty King Simeon II")
• Fenyvesi, Charles (1981) Royalty in Exile, London: Robson Books. (pp.153-171: "Czar Simeon of the Bulgars") ISBN 0-86051-131-6
• Dimitroff, Pashanko (1986) Boris III of Bulgaria 1894-1943, London. ISBN 0-86332-140-2
• Groueff, Stephane (1987) Crown of Thorns, Lanham MD. and London. ISBN 0-8191-5778-3
• Lauder-Frost, Gregory (1989) The Betrayal of Bulgaria, Monarchist League Policy Paper, London.
• Aronson, T. (1986) Crowns In Conflict, London: John Murray (Publishers) Ltd. ISBN 0-7195-4279-0
• Hindley, G. (1979) The Royal Families of Europe, London: Lyric Books Ltd. ISBN0 0-07-093530-0

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

• List of monarchs who lost their thrones or abdicated in the 20th century
• House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

The external links in this article may not comply with Wikipedia's content policies. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links.

• The first website about Simeon II of Bulgaria focuses on his pre-1995 history
• Financial Times July 2001 Biography
• Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's address, February 10, 2005 concerning amending the constitution to bring it in line with EU requirements
• Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's statement, July 5, 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."
• [2] NMSII website
• [3] MRF website

Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Cadet branch of the House of Wettin Born: 16 June 1937
Regnal titles
Preceded by Boris III	Tsar of Bulgaria August 28, 1943 – September 15, 1946	Monarchy abolished People's Republic declared
Political offices
Preceded by Boris III as Tsar of Bulgaria	Head of State of Bulgaria as Tsar of Bulgaria August 28, 1943 – September 15, 1946	Succeeded by Vasil Kolarov as Chairman of the Provisional Presidency of the People's Republic of Bulgaria
Preceded by Ivan Kostov	Prime Minister of Bulgaria July 24, 2001 – August 17, 2005	Succeeded by Sergey Stanishev
Titles in pretence
New title	— TITULAR — Tsar of Bulgaria September 15, 1946 – present	Incumbent Designated heir: Prince Kardam
Preceded by Prince Alexander Ernst	Line of succession to the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha throne 10th position	Succeeded by Prince Kardam

v • d • e Bulgarian monarchs

Great Bulgaria (632–681) Kubrat · Batbayan First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018) Asparukh · Tervel · Kormesiy · Sevar · Kormisosh · Vinekh · Telets · Sabin · Umor · Toktu · Pagan · Telerig · Kardam · Krum · Omurtag · Malamir · Presian · Boris I · Vladimir · Simeon I · Peter I · Boris II · Roman · Samuil · Gavril Radomir · Ivan Vladislav · Presian II Second Bulgarian Empire (1186–1396) Ivan Asen I · Peter IV · Ivanko · Kaloyan · Boril · Ivan Asen II · Kaliman I Asen · Michael Asen I · Kaliman II Asen · Mitso Asen · Constantine I Tikh · Ivailo · Ivan Asen III · George Terter I · Smilets · Chaka · Theodore Svetoslav · George Terter II · Michael Shishman · Ivan Stephen · Ivan Alexander · Ivan Shishman · Ivan Sratsimir Kingdom of Bulgaria (1908–1946) Alexander I · Ferdinand I · Boris III · Simeon II

v • d • e Prime Ministers of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Bulgaria	Burmov • Turnovski • Tsankov • Karavelov • Ehrnrooth • vacant • Sobolev • Tsankov • Karavelov • Turnovski • Karavelov • Radoslavov • Stoilov • Stambolov • Stoilov • Grekov • Ivanchov • Petrov • Karavelov • Danev • Petrov • Petkov • Stanchov* • Gudev • Malinov • Geshov • Danev • Radoslavov • Malinov • Teodorov • Stamboliyski • Tsankov • Lyapchev • Malinov • Mushanov • Georgiev • Zlatev • Toshev • Kyoseivanov • Filov • Gabrovski* • Bozhilov • Bagrianov • Muraviev • Georgiev
Communist Bulgaria	G. Dimitrov • Kolarov • Chervenkov • Yugov • Zhivkov • Todorov • Filipov • Atanasov • Lukanov
Republic of Bulgaria	Popov • P. Dimitrov • Berov • Indzhova* • Videnov • Sofiyanski* • Kostov • Sakskoburggotski • Stanishev
* denotes interim