1. Overview
Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (born June 16, 1937) is a prominent Bulgarian political figure who served as the last Tsar of Bulgaria as Simeon II from 1943 until 1946, and later as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2001 to 2005. His unique journey from a child monarch forced into exile by the communist regime to a democratically elected head of government marked a significant chapter in Bulgaria's post-communist transition. Initially, his return to Bulgaria in 1996 was met with widespread public approval, fueled by hopes for economic and political reform. As Prime Minister, he played a crucial role in steering Bulgaria towards Euro-Atlantic integration, including its accession to NATO. However, his tenure also saw a decline in the initial public goodwill, particularly due to his efforts to reclaim extensive royal properties, which were perceived by some as undermining broader social interests. This complex legacy positions him as a figure who both symbolized a return to democratic norms and faced scrutiny over the impact of his personal actions on national assets and public sentiment.
2. Early Life and Royal Reign
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's early life was marked by his royal birth and an unexpected accession to the throne, followed by a sudden and prolonged period of exile that shaped his formative years.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Simeon was born on June 16, 1937, in the Tsar's Palace in Sofia, the capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. He was the only son and second child of Boris III of Bulgaria, the then-reigning Tsar, and Queen Giovanna of Italy. His elder sister was Princess Maria-Louisa. Simeon's lineage connected him to prominent European royal houses; through his father, he was a member of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry, a branch of the wider House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha that also ruled in Belgium and the United Kingdom. His mother, Giovanna of Italy, belonged to the House of Savoy, making him a descendant of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. Following his birth, Tsar Boris III sent an air force officer to the Jordan River to obtain water for Simeon's baptism in the Orthodox faith. His early childhood was spent as the heir apparent to the Bulgarian throne.
2.2. Accession and Regency
Simeon's reign as Tsar Simeon II began on August 28, 1943, under dramatic circumstances. His father, Tsar Boris III, died suddenly and mysteriously shortly after returning from a meeting with Adolf Hitler, the Führer of Nazi Germany, during World War II. At only six years old, Simeon was too young to rule, leading to the establishment of a regency council. Initially, this council consisted of Simeon's uncle, Prince Kiril, Prime Minister Bogdan Filov, and Lt. General Nikola Mikhov of the Bulgarian Army.
Bulgaria had joined the Axis powers under Boris III but maintained diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically when the Soviet Union declared war on Bulgaria on September 5, 1944. Three days later, the Red Army entered Bulgaria without resistance. On September 9, 1944, a Soviet-backed coup d'état deposed Prince Kiril and the other regents, who were subsequently arrested. Following the coup, all three regents, along with members of the last three governments, parliamentary deputies, military leaders, and prominent journalists, were tragically executed by the Communists in February 1947. During this tumultuous period, new regents, all communists-Todor Pavlov, Venelin Ganev, and Tsvetko Boboshevski-were appointed.
2.3. Exile
The abolition of the monarchy and the subsequent forced exile of the royal family marked a profound turning point in Simeon's life. On September 15, 1946, a referendum was held under the presence of the Soviet army. The referendum proposed abolishing the monarchy and declaring a republic, with official figures indicating a 95.6% approval rate. This outcome effectively ended 68 years of monarchy in Bulgaria, despite violating the Tarnovo Constitution, which stipulated that changes to the state's form could only be enacted by a Grand National Assembly convened by the Tsar.
On September 16, 1946, just one day after the referendum, the royal family-Queen Giovanna, Simeon, and his sister Maria-Louisa-were forced to leave Bulgaria. They were permitted to take a significant amount of movable property. Their initial destination was Alexandria, Egypt, where Simeon's maternal grandfather, Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, the former King of Italy, was living in exile. In Alexandria, Simeon attended Victoria College, Alexandria, where Crown Prince Leka of Albania was also a student. The family faced financial difficulties, reportedly having only 200 USD each. In July 1951, Francisco Franco's dictatorship in Spain granted asylum to the family, providing them with a new home. In 1954, Simeon participated in the "Cruise of the Kings", a notable ship tour organized by King Paul of Greece and Queen Frederica of Hanover, which gathered over 100 royals from across Europe.
3. Education and Business Career
Simeon's years in exile were characterized by a robust education and a successful career in the business world, which provided him with diverse experiences before his return to political life.
3.1. Education and Military Training
Upon relocating to Madrid, Simeon continued his education at the Lycée Français de Madrid. On June 16, 1955, his 18th birthday, in accordance with the Tarnovo Constitution, Simeon issued a proclamation to the Bulgarian people. In this statement, he asserted his claim as Tsar of Bulgaria and reaffirmed his commitment to be a Tsar for all Bulgarians, adhering to principles that stood in contrast to the communist regime then governing 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." He successfully graduated as a second lieutenant. Subsequently, between 1959 and 1962, he returned to Spain to pursue studies in law and business administration, further broadening his academic and professional foundation.
3.2. Business Career
After completing his education, Simeon embarked on a career as a businessman, accumulating significant professional experience across various sectors. For thirteen years, he served as the chairman of the Spanish subsidiary of Thomson SA, a major French defense and electronics group. His expertise extended beyond this role, as he also worked as an advisor in the banking, hotel, electronics, and catering industries. This period of his life provided him with an in-depth understanding of international commerce and management, skills that would later prove invaluable in his political career.
4. Marriage and Issue
Simeon's personal life during his exile included his marriage and the raising of his five children, who established roots in Spain.
On January 21, 1962, Simeon married the Spanish aristocrat, Doña Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela. Their marriage required approval from the Pope due to Simeon being Eastern Orthodox and Margarita being Catholic, which Simeon secured after three audiences. The couple had five children: four sons and one daughter. All of their children subsequently married Spaniards, further integrating the family into Spanish society.
- Kardam (1962-2015), Prince of Tarnovo, married Miriam Ungría y López. They had two sons: Boris, who became the heir to the claim to the Bulgarian throne after his father's death, and Beltran.
- Kyril (born 1964), Prince of Preslav, married María del Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdórfila. They have three children: Mafalda, Olimpia, and Tassilo.
- Kubrat (born 1965), Prince of Panagyurishte, married Carla María de la Soledad Royo-Villanova y Urrestarazu. They have three sons: Mirko, Lukás, and Tirso.
- Konstantin-Assen (born 1967), Prince of Vidin, married María García de la Rasilla y Gortázar. They have twins: Umberto and Sofia.
- Kalina (born 1972), Princess of Bulgaria, married the Spanish explorer Antonio José "Kitín" Muñoz y Valcárcel. They have one son: Simeon Hassan Muñoz.
Notably, all of Simeon's sons were given names of Bulgarian Tsars, while his daughter was given a Bulgarian name. However, only four of his eleven grandchildren bear Bulgarian names (Boris, Sofia, Mirko, and Simeon).
5. Political Return and Premiership
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's return to Bulgaria after decades of exile marked a transformative period, leading him from a royal past to the highest political office in the country.
5.1. Return to Bulgaria
In 1990, a few months after the fall of communism in Bulgaria, Simeon was issued a new Bulgarian passport. His full return to Bulgaria in 1996, fifty years after the abolition of the monarchy, was met with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception from large crowds across the country, many chanting "We want our Tsar!" This moment symbolized a significant shift in the country's post-communist transition and a public yearning for a new direction.
Initially, Simeon did not make explicit political announcements, having previously denied any material property claims against Bulgaria in a 1990 television interview. However, the initial public sentiment of approval and hope gradually waned, especially after he began pursuing legal actions to reclaim large areas of real estate and properties in Bulgaria that had been under the monarchy's governance before 1945, including Vrana Palace and Tsarska Bistritsa Palace. While he offered to return some of the reclaimed assets to the state for public use, his pursuit of such claims was viewed critically by some, contrasting with the initial public hope for a new era of reform and shared progress.
5.2. Founding the National Movement for Stability and Progress (NMSP)
In 2001, Simeon, who by this time was using the civilian name Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, announced his intention to return to Bulgaria and form a new political party. This party, initially named the National Movement Simeon II and later officially renamed the National Movement for Stability and Progress (NMSP), was founded on a platform centered on "reforms and political integrity." Simeon made a bold promise to the Bulgarian people: he declared that within 800 days, his government would deliver tangible positive effects and significantly higher living standards, capitalizing on the widespread discontent with the existing political and economic conditions.
5.3. Premiership (2001-2005)
Simeon's tenure as Prime Minister of Bulgaria was marked by a commitment to economic reform and integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, although his political influence waned in subsequent elections.
5.3.1. 2001 Election and Coalition Government
The 2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election, held on June 17, 2001, resulted in a significant victory for the NMSP. The party secured 120 out of the 240 seats in the Parliament, effectively defeating the two main established political parties. On July 24, Simeon was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bulgaria. To form a governing majority, he established a coalition government with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), a party representing the ethnic Turkish minority. In forming his cabinet, Simeon notably appointed a number of technocrats and economic specialists who had received their education in Western countries, signaling a focus on expert-driven governance and modern economic policies.
5.3.2. Key Policies and Outcomes
During his premiership, Simeon's government implemented several key policies aimed at modernizing Bulgaria and integrating it into international structures. A significant foreign policy achievement was Bulgaria's accession to NATO, and his government supported the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. Domestically, his administration focused on economic reforms and anti-corruption measures, which contributed to an improvement in Bulgaria's economic outlook. In 2002, Simeon received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation, acknowledging his contributions to stability. While his government did achieve progress, particularly in economic recovery and Euro-Atlantic integration, the ambitious promise of tangible improvements within 800 days proved difficult to fully realize for all segments of the population.
5.3.3. Post-Premiership and Retirement
In the 2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election, Simeon's party, the NMSP, ranked second, securing fewer votes than the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). Following the election, the NMSP entered a grand coalition government led by the BSP, which also included the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Simeon was assigned the unofficial, ceremonial position of Chairman of the Coalition Council. His party's political fortunes continued to decline, and in the 2009 Bulgarian parliamentary election, the NMSP received only 3.01% of the votes, failing to win any parliamentary seats. Shortly after this electoral defeat, on July 6, Simeon resigned from his leadership role within the NMSP, effectively retiring from active political life.
6. Views on Monarchy Restoration
Throughout his political career, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha maintained a cautious stance on the restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy, consistently avoiding direct endorsements while upholding the republican constitution during his time as Prime Minister.
During his period of exile, Simeon occasionally used the title "Tsar of the Bulgarians" in his political statements, indicating his ongoing claim to the throne. However, upon his return to Bulgaria and especially after assuming the office of Prime Minister in 2001, he made a point of swearing to uphold the country's republican constitution. He consistently refrained from revealing his personal views on the restoration of the Bulgarian monarchy, despite his party initially being named the "National Movement Simeon II" (NMSII), which implicitly referenced his royal title. He often stated that the question of monarchy restoration was a decision for the Bulgarian people to make.
In 2015, the Bulgarian Patriarchate issued a statement announcing that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha would be referred to as "Tsar of Bulgaria" in all public and private religious services held within the dioceses of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This decision, however, drew concerns from some, including the then-President Rosen Plevneliev, who feared it could divide Bulgarian Christians along monarchist and republican lines. Following this, Simeon sent a letter to the Bulgarian Patriarch, requesting that the decision to include prayers for him as "King Simeon II of Bulgaria" be reversed, further demonstrating his commitment to avoiding actions that might create social division regarding the monarchy. While he and his family had participated in media campaigns and movements within the Bulgarian political sphere during his exile, these actions did not translate into an explicit push for a return to a monarchical system upon his engagement in democratic politics.
7. Titles, Styles, and Honours
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has held various royal titles and styles throughout his life, both as the reigning Tsar and, following the abolition of the monarchy, by courtesy or pretense. He has also been awarded numerous dynastic, state, and foreign honours.
7.1. Royal Titles and Styles
- June 16, 1937 - August 28, 1943: His Royal Highness The Prince of Tarnovo
- August 28, 1943 - September 15, 1946: His Majesty The Tsar of the Bulgarians
- September 15, 1946 - present: His Majesty Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians (title of pretense and by courtesy)
- July 24, 2001 - August 17, 2005: His Excellency Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (as Prime Minister)
On May 1, 2015, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced that Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha would be referred to as Tsar of Bulgaria in all public and private services held in the dioceses of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
7.2. Dynastic and State Honours
Simeon has been the Grand Master of several dynastic orders associated with the Bulgarian monarchy and has received high state honours from Bulgaria.
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Knight and Grand Master of the Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Saint Alexander
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Bravery
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Civil Merit
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Grand Master of the Royal Order of Military Merit
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry: Recipient of the Coming of Age Medal of Tsar Simeon II
- Bulgaria: Grand Cross of the Order of Stara Planina
- Bulgarian Ministry of Defence: Collar of the Order of Justice
7.3. Foreign Honours and Awards
Simeon has been recognized internationally with numerous foreign state and dynastic honours, as well as honorary degrees and awards.
- Belgium: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
- France: Grand Cross of the Order of the Legion of Honour
- Orléans-French royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Lazarus
- Greek royal family: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Redeemer
- Italian royal family: Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
- Vatican: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
- Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- Two Sicilian royal family: Knight of the Royal Order of Saint Januarius
- Two Sicilian royal family: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Order of Saint George
- Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance
- Jordan: Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence
- Palestine: Grand Collar of the Order of Palestine
- 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
- Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III
- Spain: Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Bulgaria: Honorary degree of the National Guards Unit of Bulgaria
- Bulgaria: Jubilee badge of honour of the Bulgarian Chitalishte community
- European Union: Paneuropean Union integration award
- Romania: Honorary degree of the University of Bucharest
- Spain: Adoptive Son of Madrid
- Slovakia: Tree of Peace memorial plaque, awarded in October 2023.
Simeon has also served as a national patron for the National day of Bulgaria and as an international patron for the restoration of the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk at Divina in Slovakia (2017).
8. Ancestry
Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's ancestry traces back through a distinguished line of European royalty, connecting him to several prominent dynasties. His paternal side links him to the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry, a branch of the German House of Wettin, which also gave rise to the royal families of the United Kingdom and Belgium. His maternal lineage stems from the House of Savoy, the former ruling house of Italy, and the House of Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro. This extensive royal background highlights his deep connections within the European aristocracy.
| Ancestors of Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16. | Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld | 8. | Prince August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | 4. | Ferdinand I of Bulgaria | 2. | Boris III of Bulgaria | 1. | Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha |
| 17. | Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg | 9. | Princess Clémentine of Orléans | 5. | Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma | ||||
| 18. | Louis Philippe I | 10. | Robert I, Duke of Parma | ||||||
| 19. | Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily | 11. | Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies | ||||||
| 12. | Umberto I of Italy | 6. | Victor Emmanuel III of Italy | ||||||
| 13. | Princess Margherita of Savoy | 3. | Princess Giovanna of Savoy | ||||||
| 14. | Nicholas I of Montenegro | 7. | Princess Elena of Montenegro | ||||||
| 15. | Milena Vukotić | ||||||||