Principality of Bulgaria/Tsardom of Bulgaria Index

Simeon II, the last Tsar of Bulgaria, in 2017, reigned 1943 – 1946; Credit – Wikipedia

Bulgaria became a principality of the Ottoman Empire under the terms of the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia proposed Prince Alexander of Battenberg for the newly created throne, and he was unanimously elected as Knyaz (Prince) of Bulgaria in April 1879.  However, his reign did not last long.  Alexander fell victim to a military coup in 1886. He was forced to abdicate and leave the country.

After the abdication of Alexander of Battenberg as reigning Knyaz (Prince) of Bulgaria, a search began for a new sovereign prince. While many European princes refused, fearing the same fate as Alexander of Battenberg, Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha’s name was put forth by his mother. Following a vote by the National Assembly, Ferdinand was elected Knyaz (Prince)  of Bulgaria in 1887.

Since its establishment as a principality, Bulgaria had been under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1908, Ferdinand proclaimed independence, elevated Bulgaria to a tsardom, and became Tsar Ferdinand I. Bulgaria remained a monarchy until 1946.  The last Tsar of Bulgaria was Simeon II who succeeded to the throne in 1943 when he was just six years old. Because of Simeon’s young age, a Council of Regents was established.  In 1944, the Soviet Union declared war on Bulgaria, and the regents were deposed and replaced. They would all be executed a year later. The monarchy was overthrown in 1946 and the Bulgarian royal family was forced to leave the country.

Following the fall of the Communist regime, Simeon was finally able to return to his homeland. In 1996, fifty years after he had been forced out of the country, Simeon returned to Bulgaria. He was known as Simeon Borisov Sakskoburggotski (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha) and served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2001 – 2005.

Below is an indexed listing with links to biographical articles about the Bulgarian Royal Family at Unofficial Royalty. If it says “Notable Issue” before a name, that means not all of the children for the parent of that person are listed. Also listed below are links to the various Bulgarian Content Areas.

Principality of Bulgaria/Tsardom of Bulgaria (1878–1946)

House of Battenberg

Prince Alexander of Battenberg, Prince of Bulgaria

House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha-Koháry

Family of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

Family of Tsar Boris III of Bulgaria

Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria

Pretenders to the Throne

Bulgarian Content Areas