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

Farmers' union urges action to support agriculture

In an open letter to Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance and Economy, the Bulgarian Farmers' Union calls for new financial mechanisms to support, revitalise and stimulate Bulgarian agriculture . The appeal is driven..

published on 4/29/25 2:36 PM

NSI: Bulgaria's population continues to shrink

Bulgaria's population was 6,437,360 at the end of 2024, down by 8,121 people (0.13%) from the previous year, according to the National Statistical Institute. All 28 regions recorded negative natural growth. As of December 31, 2024, there were..

published on 4/29/25 1:43 PM

BNR now delivers news through an AI avatar

The Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is successfully integrating artificial intelligence into its programmes. The public radio’s news is now read by an AI avatar trained in Bulgarian, operating in a virtual environment. One year after the public..

published on 4/29/25 11:32 AM