Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tsar Simeon II is among the longest-living monarchs in Europe

Photo: Archive

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Bulgarian King Simeon II is the third oldest monarch in Europe. He turned 85 last July. Unlike the kings of Serbia, Romania and Greece who abdicated after the Second World War, the Bulgarian king never renounced the throne.

Simeon II could also have broken the record for the longest period of rule if Bulgaria had not become a republic. He was enthroned on 28 August 1948. Thus he would have been in power for 74 years, which is even longer than the governance of Louis XIV - 72 years and 110 days.

Currently the oldest sovereigns in Europe are Pope Francis, who turned 85 on 17 December 2021, and Harald V King of Norway. He also turned 85 on 21 February.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Maximum temperatures will drop by 2-3°C during the day

On Thursday , the lowest temperatures will be between 16 and 21°C; in Sofia – about 18°C. During the day it will be sunny over most of the country. In the afternoon hours, there will be temporary increases in cloudiness over the..

published on 8/13/25 7:05 PM

ECB’s Lagarde welcomes design of Bulgaria’s €1 coin

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has welcomed the design of Bulgaria’s €1 coin in a Facebook post, the state news agency BTA reported. “Exciting news for Bulgaria and the euro area! Take a first look at the design of Bulgaria’s €1..

published on 8/13/25 5:46 PM

German jets escort Ryanair flight from Sofia to London after hoax emergency call

German fighter jets escorted a Ryanair Boeing 737 from Sofia to London on 11 August after a false emergency call claimed there was a Palestinian passenger on board planning to “do bad things,” the state news agency BTA reported. The aircraft,..

published on 8/13/25 5:37 PM