View source for Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

{{Short description|Bulgarian politician and royal (born 1937)}}
{{Family name hatnote|Borisov|Sakskoburggotski|lang=Bulgarian}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Simeon II 
{{nobold | {{Ubl
  | {{native name|bg|Симеон Сакскобургготски|italics=no|paren=omit}}
  }}}}
| image        = Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Simeon II) in 2017.jpg
| caption      = Simeon in 2017
| succession   = [[Tsar of Bulgaria]]
| reign        = 28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946
| predecessor  = [[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]]
| successor    = ''Monarchy abolished''<br />[[Vasil Kolarov]] (as [[List of Presidents of Bulgaria|Acting President]])
| reg-type     = {{nowrap|Prime Ministers}}
| regent       = {{Collapsible list|title=''See list''|1=[[Bogdan Filov]]<br />[[Petur Gabrovski]] (Acting)<br />[[Dobri Bozhilov]]<br />[[Ivan Ivanov Bagryanov]]<br />[[Konstantin Muraviev]]<br />[[Kimon Georgiev]]}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed        = yes
| office       = [[Prime Minister of Bulgaria]]
| termstart           = 24 July 2001
| termend             = 16 August 2005
| president           = [[Petar Stoyanov]]<br />[[Georgi Parvanov]]
| deputy              = [[Nikolay Vasilev]]<br />[[Lydia Shuleva]]<br />[[:bg:Костадин Паскалев|Kostadin Paskalev]] <br />[[Plamen Panayotov]]
| predecessor         = [[Ivan Kostov]]
| successor           = [[Sergey Stanishev]]
| office1             = Leader of the [[NDSV|National Movement Simeon the Second]] party{{efn|Since 3 June 2007, the National Movement for Stability and Progress party}}
| termstart1          = 6 April 2002
| termend1            = 28 November 2009
| predecessor1        = Position established 
| successor2          = [[Hristina Hristova]]
}}
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1937|06|16|df=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Princess Clementine Hospital]], [[Sofia]], [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Tsardom of Bulgaria]]
| spouse       = {{marriage|[[Margarita Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Margarita Gómez-Acebo y Cejuela]]|1962}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*[[Kardam, Prince of Turnovo]]
*[[Kyril, Prince of Preslav]]
*Kubrat, Prince of Panagyurishte
*Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin
*Princess Kalina, Countess of Murány}}
| father       = [[Boris III of Bulgaria]]
| mother       = [[Giovanna of Savoy]]
| house        = [[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry|Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry]]
| religion     = [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]]
| signature    = Signature of Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.png
<!--
| party        = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2009–present)
| otherparty   = [[National Movement for Stability and Progress|National Movement Simeon the Second]] (2001–2009)
| alma_mater   = [[Valley Forge Military Academy and College]]
-->}}
{{Bulgarian Royal Family}}
'''Simeon Borisov Saxe-Coburg-Gotha''' ({{langx|bg|Симеон Борисов Сакскобургготски|translit=Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski}}, {{IPA|bg|simeˈɔn boˈrisof sakskoburˈɡɔtski|}}; born 16 June 1937) is a Bulgarian politician who reigned as the last Tsar of the [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Tsardom of Bulgaria]] as '''Simeon II''' from 1943 until 1946.<ref>{{cite web|title=Simeon Saxecoburggotski {{!}} prime minister and former king of Bulgaria {{!}} Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simeon-Saxecoburggotski|access-date=2021-12-17|website=www.britannica.com|language=en}}</ref>  In 1946, the monarchy was abolished by a [[1946 Bulgarian republic referendum|referendum]], forcing Simeon into [[exile]]. Following the [[fall of communism in Bulgaria]], Simeon returned to his home country in 1996, and founded the [[NDSV|National Movement for Stability and Progress]] party (also known as the National Movement Simeon II party). After winning the [[2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election|2001 election]] as its leader, Simeon proceeded to govern Bulgaria as [[Prime Minister of Bulgaria|prime minister]] of the [[Bulgaria|Republic of Bulgaria]] from 2001 to 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1061402.stm|website=BBC – Country Profiles |title=Bulgaria |access-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307084019/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1061402.stm |archive-date=7 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><br>

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 [[2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election|next election]], as leader of NDSV, Simeon 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 2025, Simeon is one of only two living men who were heads of state during [[World War II]], along with the [[14th Dalai Lama]], although both held only mostly symbolic roles in their respective governments.

== Royal history ==
[[File:BASA-3K-15-302-13-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo.jpeg|thumb|left|200px|Prince Simeon as a baby]]
[[File:BASA-3K-15-302-18-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo.jpeg|thumb|left|200px|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.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kate Connolly |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jun/20/worlddispatch.kateconnolly |title=Once upon a time in Bulgaria |work=The Guardian |date=20 June 2001 |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723170840/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/jun/20/worlddispatch.kateconnolly |archive-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> 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]].<ref>"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</ref><ref>Theo Aronson, ''Crowns in Conflict'', p. 202. London: John Murray (Publishers) Ltd., 1986. {{ISBN|0-7195-4279-0}}</ref> Since Simeon was only six years old, his uncle [[Prince Kyril of Bulgaria|Prince Kiril]], Prime Minister [[Bogdan Filov]], and [[Lieutenant-General|Lt. General]] [[Nikola Mikhov|Nikola Mihov]] of the Bulgarian Army were appointed [[regent]]s.<ref name=b1>Geoffrey Hindley, ''The Royal Families of Europe'', p. 156. London: Lyric Books Ltd., 1979. {{ISBN|0-07-093530-0}}</ref>

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 Union|Soviet]]-backed [[1944 Bulgarian coup d'état|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.<ref name=b1 />

== Towards exile ==
The royal family — Queen Giovanna, Simeon, and his sister [[Princess Marie Louise of Bulgaria|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 [[1946 Bulgarian republic referendum|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.<ref>[[Dieter Nohlen]] & Philip Stöver (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p. 375 {{ISBN|978-3-8329-5609-7}}</ref> 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, Alexandria|Victoria College]] (along with Crown Prince [[Leka of Albania]]). In July 1951, [[Francisco Franco|General Francisco Franco]]'s [[Francoist Spain|dictatorship]] in Spain granted asylum to the family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/semejstvo-i-misiya/n-v-tsar-simeon-ii/|title=History of King Simeon II|publisher=King Simeon|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703091651/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/semejstvo-i-misiya/n-v-tsar-simeon-ii/|archive-date=3 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He took part in the ship tour organized by King [[Paul of Greece]] and [[Frederica of Hanover|Queen Frederica]] in 1954, which became known as the "[[Cruise of the Kings]]" and was attended by over 100 royals from all over Europe.

== Education and business career ==
In [[Madrid]], Simeon studied at the [[Lycée Français de Madrid|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",<ref name=b1 /> and he graduated as a second lieutenant. Once again in Spain (between 1959 and 1962), Simeon studied law and business administration.{{sfn|Lilov|2013|p=89}}

He then became a businessman. For thirteen years, he was chairman of the Spanish subsidiary of [[Thomson SA|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]].<ref name=b1 /> 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, Prince of Tarnovo|Kardam]] (1962–2015) married [[Miriam, Princess of Turnovo|Miriam Ungría y López]]. They had two sons, [[Boris, Prince of Tarnovo|Boris]] and [[Beltran of Bulgaria|Beltran]].
* [[Kyril, Prince of Preslav|Kiril]] (born 1964) married [[Rosario, Princess of Preslav|María del Rosario Nadal y Fuster de Puigdórfila]]. They have three children: [[Ona Mafalda|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 [[Kitín Muñoz|Antonio José "Kitín" Muñoz y Valcárcel]]. They have a son, Simeon Hassan Muñoz.

== Political return ==
In 1990, just months after the [[Revolutions of 1989|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1wkeWjAniI|title=Симеон: Нямам материални имуществени претенции към България|date=3 February 2014 |publisher=quoted video in a follow-up conversation}}</ref> 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."{{sfn|Lilov|2013|p=91}} 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.{{sfn|Lilov|2013|p=93}}

=== Prime minister ===
{{for|details on his cabinet|Sakskoburggotski Government}}
[[File:Kwasniewski and Saxe-Coburg Gotta.jpg|thumb|[[President of Poland]] [[Aleksander Kwaśniewski|Aleksander Kwasniewski]] and Simeon on 28 August 2003]]
NMSP won a large victory in the [[2001 Bulgarian parliamentary election|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 [[Technocracy|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepathtopeacefoundation.org/ |title=The Path to Peace Foundation homepage |publisher=Thepathtopeacefoundation.org\access-date=24 July 2015 |access-date=27 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014035245/http://www.thepathtopeacefoundation.org/ |archive-date=14 October 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgaria next joined [[NATO]] and joined the U.S.-led coalition against Iraq. 

In the [[2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election|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.{{sfn|Lilov|2013|p=91}}

In the [[2009 Bulgarian parliamentary election|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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=170311|title=Симеон Сакскобургготски подаде оставка|date=6 July 2009|publisher=Труд|language=bg|access-date=7 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708001759/http://www.trud.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=170311|archive-date=8 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/252086513 |title=Will Bulgaria Become Monarchy Again? |date= |accessdate=2022-03-16}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Un destin singulier|date=29 October 2014|publisher=[[Groupe Flammarion|Flammarion]]|location=Paris|isbn=9782081314672}}</ref> It was first presented at the headquarters of the UNESCO in Paris on 22 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/director-general/singleview-dg/news/simeon_ii_of_bulgaria_presents_a_preview_of_his_autobiography_at_unesco/ |title=Simeon II of Bulgaria presents a preview of his autobiography at UNESCO |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815142706/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/director-general/singleview-dg/news/simeon_ii_of_bulgaria_presents_a_preview_of_his_autobiography_at_unesco/ |archive-date=15 August 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=arFHDAAAQBAJ&q=un+destino+singular+sime%C3%B3n+de+sajonia&pg=PA32|title=Simeón II de Bulgaria|author=Simeón II de Bulgaria|publisher=Ediciones Paraninfo, S.A.|via=Google Books|access-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812020545/https://books.google.es/books?id=arFHDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=un+destino+singular+sime%C3%B3n+de+sajonia&source=bl&ots=FBvineO4Hi&sig=fsLSngnY3djHcp3xy9LrjKckKiQ&hl=es&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiD0L7yhaDNAhWJXBoKHQquBwI4ChDoAQgvMAI#v=onepage&q=un+destino+singular+sime%C3%B3n+de+sajonia&f=false#v=onepage&q=un+destino+singular+sime%C3%B3n+de+sajonia&f=false|archive-date=12 August 2016|url-status=live|isbn=9788484597285|date=1 June 2016}}</ref>
[[File:BASA-3K-15-302-29-Simeon-The Prince of Turnovo.jpeg|thumb|223x223px|Simeon II]]

==Titles and styles==
*16 June 1937 – 28 August 1943: ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Turnovo<ref>{{cite web | url=http://dvoretz-vrana.bg/en/fund/fund-authorities-management-bodies-team/his-majesty-king-simeon-ii | title=HIS MAJESTY KING SIMEON II – Royal Palace of Vrana }}</ref>
*28 August 1943 – 15 September 1946: ''His Majesty'' The Tsar of the Bulgarians
*15 September 1946 – present: ''His Majesty'' Tsar Simeon II of the Bulgarians<ref>[http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/semejstvo-i-misiya/n-v-tsar-simeon-ii/ Biography: His Majesty King Simeon II of the Bulgarians] – official website of H.M. Tsar Simeon II</ref> ([[title of pretense]] and by courtesy)
*24 July 2001 – 16 August 2005: ''His Excellency'' Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/webpage/Latest%20News/Current/11%20September/Simeon.htm |title=Letter from Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha to President Bush (September 13) |publisher=Bulgaria-embassy.org |date=13 September 2001 |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923195124/http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/webpage/Latest%20News/Current/11%20September/Simeon.htm |archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bta.bg/en/c/DF/id/1070084 |title=Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Enthroned by Holy Synod – News – BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY |publisher=Bta.bg |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718091117/http://www.bta.bg/en/c/DF/id/1070084 |archive-date=18 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Dynastic honours ===
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Knight and Grand Master of the [[Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius]]<ref name="Grand Master">[http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/simvoli-i-ordeni/velikiyat-magistar-na-balgarskite-ord/ The Grand Master of the Bulgarian Orders] – official website of H.M. Simeon II</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Grand Master of the [[Order of Saint Alexander (Bulgaria)|Royal Order of Saint Alexander]]<ref name="Grand Master" />
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Grand Master of the [[Order of Bravery|Royal Order of Bravery]]<ref name="Grand Master" />
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Grand Master of the [[Order of Civil Merit (Bulgaria)|Royal Order of Civil Merit]]<ref name="Grand Master" />
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Grand Master of the [[Order of Military Merit (Bulgaria)|Royal Order of Military Merit]]<ref name="Grand Master" />
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Bulgaria}} [[House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Koháry]]: Recipient of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria|Coming of age Medal of Tsar Simeon II]]

=== National state honours ===
* {{flagu|Bulgaria}}: Grand Cross of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria|Order of Stara Planina]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage">http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229211710/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en |date=29 February 2016 }}, [http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/simvoli-i-ordeni/ordeni-i-dekoratsii-na-n-v-tsar-simeon-ii/ page with Simeon's honours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127101618/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/simvoli-i-ordeni/ordeni-i-dekoratsii-na-n-v-tsar-simeon-ii/ |date=27 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2007/06/rech-na-tsar-simeon-ii-na-tseremoniyata-po-vr/|title=Speech by King Simeon II at the ceremony of his award of the Stara Planina Order, Ist degree – H.R.H. King Simeon II|website=Speech by King Simeon II at the ceremony of his award of the Stara Planina Order, Ist degree – H.R.H. King Simeon II|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305175034/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2007/06/rech-na-tsar-simeon-ii-na-tseremoniyata-po-vr/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oneworld-bg.net/issue-149/One-World-Austria-page-17.php |title=One World magazine – COUBURGS |publisher=Oneworld-bg.net |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224010021/http://www.oneworld-bg.net/issue-149/One-World-Austria-page-17.php |archive-date=24 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Ministry of Defence (Bulgaria)|Bulgarian Ministry of Defence]]: Collar of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria|Order of Justice]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/106 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Симеон II получи най-високото отличие на Министерството на правосъдието |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |date=26 May 2009 |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150223222932/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/106 |archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

=== Foreign state and dynastic honours ===
* {{flagu|Belgium}}: Grand Cross of the order of the crown <ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/queen-anne-of-romania-and-princess-lilian-of-belgium-news-photo/172835296 |title=Queen Anne of Romania and Princess Lilian of Belgium followed by King... News Photo |date=2 July 2013 |publisher=Getty Images |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723042114/http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/queen-anne-of-romania-and-princess-lilian-of-belgium-news-photo/172835296 |archive-date=23 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagu|France}}: Grand Cross of the [[Legion of Honour|Order of the Legion of Honour]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
** {{flagicon|Kingdom of France}} [[House of Orléans|Orléans-French royal family]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)|Order of Saint Lazarus]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
* {{flagicon|Greece|royal}} [[Greek royal family]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Redeemer|Royal Order of the Redeemer]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Italy}} [[House of Savoy|Italian royal family]]: Knight of the [[Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
* {{flagu|Vatican}}: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Order of the Holy Sepulchre]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
* {{flagu|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the [[Medals, awards and orders of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2011/06/tsarskoto-semejstvo-be-gost-na-priema-v/|title=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|website=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|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180050/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2011/06/tsarskoto-semejstvo-be-gost-na-priema-v/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2013/02/tehni-velichestva-prisastvaha-v-rim-na/|title=The Majesties attended the celebrations of the 900th anniversary of the Sovereign Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II|website=The Majesties attended the celebrations of the 900th anniversary of the Sovereign Order of Malta – H.R.H. King Simeon II|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191622/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/en/2013/02/tehni-velichestva-prisastvaha-v-rim-na/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|Two Sicilies}} [[House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies|Two Sicilian royal family]]:
** Knight of the [[Order of St. Januarius|Royal Order of Saint Januarius]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref name=OrderJanuarius>{{cite web|url=http://www.bourbon-two-sicilies.org/english/januarius_membership.html|title=MEMBERSHIP OF THE ROYAL ILLUSTRIUOS ORDER OF ST. JANUARIUS|year=2008 |publisher=g/ The Royal House of the Two Sicilies |access-date=26 October 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109172247/http://www.bourbon-two-sicilies.org/english/januarius_membership.html|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref>
** Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of the [[Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George|Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Order of Saint George]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref name=ConstantinianOrder>{{cite web|url=http://www.constantinianorder.org/the-order/membersip-of-the-constantinian-order.html|title=Membership of the Constantinian Order|year=2008 |publisher=g/ Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George |access-date=13 October 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305153427/http://www.constantinianorder.org/the-order/membersip-of-the-constantinian-order.html|archive-date=5 March 2012}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Supreme Order of the Renaissance]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/live/BiZmXgmiNtw?feature=share | title=- YouTube | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
* {{flagu|Jordan}}: Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Independence (Jordan)|Order of Independence]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" />
* {{flagu|Palestine}}: Grand Collar of the [[Grand Collar of the State of Palestine|Order of Palestine]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kingsimeon.bg/2022/12/tsar-simeon-ii-beshe-nagraden-s-pochetniya-znak-na-darzhavata-palestina/ | title=Цар Симеон II беше награден с почетния знак на Държавата Палестина &#124; Н.В. Цар Симеон II }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Portugal}} [[House of Braganza|Portuguese royal family]]: Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa]]
* {{Flagicon|Russian Empire}} [[House of Romanov|Russian imperial family]]: Knight of the [[Order of St. Andrew|Imperial Order of Saint Andrew]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintanna.ru/?lang=rus&id=60|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328043607/http://www.saintanna.ru/?lang=rus&id=60|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 March 2012|title=SAINTANNA.RU – Кавалеры 1-й степени|website=saintanna.ru}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintanna.ru/?lang=eng&id=10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423190758/http://www.saintanna.ru/?lang=eng&id=10|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 April 2012|title=SAINTANNA.RU – List of recipients|website=saintanna.ru}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Spain}}:
** Knight Grand Cross of the [[Order of Charles III]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref name="boe2">{{cite web|url=http://www.boe.es/datos/pdfs/BOE//1955/188/A04084-04084.pdf|date=28 May 2009|title=7 julio 1955 B. O. del E—Núm. 188|page=4084|access-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135240/http://www.boe.es/datos/pdfs/BOE//1955/188/A04084-04084.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Knight of the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]]<ref name="KingSimeonOrdersPage" /><ref name="boe">{{cite web|url=http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2004/10/02/pdfs/A33224-33224.pdf|date=2 October 2004|title=BOE 238 de 02/10/2004 Sec 3 Pag 33224 a. 33224|work=Boletin Oficial Del Estado |access-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044716/http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2004/10/02/pdfs/A33224-33224.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.zimbio.com/photos/King+Simeon+II+of+Bulgaria |title=King Simeon II of Bulgaria Photos – Zimbio |newspaper=Zimbio |publisher=M.zimbio.com |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217175620/http://m.zimbio.com/photos/King+Simeon+II+of+Bulgaria |archive-date=17 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== National awards ===
* {{flagu|Bulgaria}}: [[Honorary degree]] of the [[National Guards Unit of Bulgaria]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/277 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Н.В. Цар Симеон ІІ получи медал и грамота в чест на 125-ата годишнина на 9-и пехотен полк на Княгиня Клементина |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150223224429/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/277 |archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Bulgaria}}: Jubilee badge of honour of the [[Chitalishte|Bulgarian Chitalishte community]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/243 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Негово Величество получи почетния знак на българските читалища |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150223224403/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/243 |archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

=== Foreign awards ===
* {{flagu|European Union}}: [[Paneuropean Union]] integration award<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/202 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Н. В. Цар Симеон ІІ бе удостоен с наградата на Паневропейския съюз за големия му принос за европейската интеграция на България |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110051102/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/202 |archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Romania}}: [[Honorary degree]] of the [[University of Bucharest]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/364 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Под заглавие "Ексклузивно от Букурещ – Симеон II посрещнат с почести" списание Hello публикува три страници за посещението на Техни Величества в румънската столица |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |date=16 December 2012 |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150223224358/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/364 |archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>
* {{flagu|Spain}}: [[Adoptive Son of Madrid]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/09/30/madrid/1096542751.html|website=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|title=Simeón de Bulgaria recibe el título de hijo adoptivo de Madrid|date=30 September 2004}}</ref>

===Arms===
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Larger Sovereign Arms of Bulgaria 1929-1946.svg|175px]]<div style="text-align: center;">Arms of the Sovereign of Bulgaria (1943–1946)</div>
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Personal Arms of Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria.svg|115px]]<div style="text-align: center;">Personal arms of Simeon</div>
|}

=== Patronages ===

==== National patronages ====
* {{flagu|Bulgaria}}: Patron of the [[Public holidays in Bulgaria|National day of Bulgaria]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/172 |title=Н.В. Цар Симеон II &#124; Новини -> Царят е патрон на Деня на България в Загреб |publisher=Kingsimeon.bg |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150223230204/http://www.kingsimeon.bg/news/show/id/172 |archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

== Ancestry ==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha'''
|2= 2. [[Boris III of Bulgaria]]
|3= 3. [[Giovanna of Italy|Princess Giovanna of Savoy]]
|4= 4. [[Ferdinand I of Bulgaria]]
|5= 5. [[Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma]]
|6= 6. [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy]]
|7= 7. [[Elena of Montenegro|Princess Elena of Montenegro]]
|8= 8. [[Prince August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]
|9= 9. [[Princess Clémentine of Orléans]]
|10= 10. [[Robert I, Duke of Parma]]
|11= 11. [[Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies (1849–1882)|Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Two Sicilies]]
|12= 12. [[Umberto I of Italy]]
|13= 13. [[Margherita of Savoy|Princess Margherita of Savoy]]
|14= 14. [[Nicholas I of Montenegro]]
|15= 15. [[Milena of Montenegro|Milena Vukotić]]
}}

== See also ==
* ''[[The Boy Who Was a King]]'', a 2011 Bulgarian documentary by [[Andrey Paounov]].
* [[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{notelist}}

== 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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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}}
{{Refbegin|colwidth=30em|indent=yes}}
*{{Cite book
  |last1=Lilov|first1=Grigor|year=2013
  |title=Най-богатите българи |edition=1st
  |location=Sofia |publisher="Кайлас" ЕООД |isbn=978-954-92098-9-1
  |url=http://knigabg.com/index.php?page=book&id=34089}}
{{Refend}}

=== Articles ===
* ''The Daily Telegraph'', Obituary for "HM Queen Ioanna of the Bulgarians", London, 28 February 2000.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Simeon II of Bulgaria}}
* [http://www.kingsimeon.bg/ King Simeon II] – Personal website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061010083353/http://www.b-info.com/places/Bulgaria/Royal/Simeon/ The first website about Simeon II of Bulgaria] focuses on his pre-1995 history
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050429142937/http://www.rigasummit.lv/en/?id=127 Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's statement, 5 July 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."
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050322200318/http://www.standartnews.com/archive/2005/02/10/english/opinion/ Saxe-Coburg-Gotha's address, 10 February 2005] concerning amending the constitution to bring it in line with EU requirements, ''Standart''

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]]|16 June|1937|||[[House of Wettin]]}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Boris III of Bulgaria]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Tsar of Bulgaria]]|years=1943–1946}}
{{s-vac|reason=[[People's Republic of Bulgaria|Republic declared]] under [[Vasil Kolarov]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ivan Kostov]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Bulgaria]]|years=2001–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sergei Stanishev]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=Prince Alexander Ernst}}
{{s-ttl|title=Line of succession to the former Saxe-Coburg and Gotha throne|years=9th position}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Prince Boris of Bulgaria|Prince Boris]]}}
{{s-end}}{{BulgarianPrimeMinisters}}
{{Bulgarian monarchs}}
{{Bulgarian princes}}
{{Princes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha}}
{{Members of the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece}}
{{Pretenders to the Bulgarian throne}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simeon II of Bulgaria}}
[[Category:1937 births]]
[[Category:20th-century monarchs of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (Bulgaria)|Simeon]]
[[Category:Bulgarian people of German descent]]
[[Category:Bulgarian people of Hungarian descent]]
[[Category:Bulgarian people of French descent]]
[[Category:Bulgarian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Leaders ousted by a coup]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Child monarchs from Europe]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox monarchs]]
[[Category:Politicians from Sofia]]
[[Category:Exiled royalty]]
[[Category:Child pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Monarchs deposed as children]]
[[Category:Victoria College, Alexandria alumni]]
[[Category:Valley Forge Military Academy and College alumni]]
[[Category:World War II political leaders]]
<!-- Honours -->
[[Category:Grand Master of the Order of Military Merit (Bulgaria)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Bravery]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of Independence (Jordan)]]
[[Category:Recipients of Supreme Order of the Renaissance (Jordan)]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre]]
[[Category:Bailiffs Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Knights of the Golden Fleece of Spain]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Immaculate Conception of Vila Viçosa]]
[[Category:Nobility from Sofia]]
[[Category:Pretenders to the Bulgarian throne]]