Здравей.The Friday cat bloggers are out en masse today, so the contrarian here provides an alternative. Not fluffy, but we present the titular heir to the Bulgarian throne, HRH Prince Kardam of Bulgaria, Prince of Turnovo (as the heir is styled), Duke of Saxony.
Prince Kardam was born in Madrid, eldest son of Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria and Doña Margarita Gomez-Acebo y Cejuela. The monarchy had been abolished in Bulgaria before Prince Kardam's birth. On July 11, 1996, he married Doña Miriam Ungria y López, a gemologist and historian. [Wikipedia]
At age six, Kardam's father Simeon, became Tsar of Bulgaria and reigned as Simeon II from 1943-1946. After over five decades in exile, Simeon returned to Bulgaria and was democratically elected and became Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2001-2005) - something hitherto unprecedented in history. When not addressed as a reigning monarch, he is known as Simeon of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. His family name indicates that he is related to Queen Elizabeth as "Windsor" is an English-sounding replacement name for Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.Although deposed, Simeon never abdicated and is thus the only living person to bear the title Tsar.
The royal children were educated in the Lycée Français in Madrid. Prince Kardam's siblings are Kyrill, Prince of Preslav; Kubrat, Prince of Panagiurishte; Konstantin-Assen, Prince of Vidin; and Princess Kalina of Bulgaria. Kalina is, perhaps, the wild child of the family, who dresses and behaves with flair and idiosyncrasy (perhaps the only European princess to shave her head, then dye her hair orange after it grew out). The family is said to be close and warm. As heir, Kardam was baptized in the Eastern Orthodox Church, though his siblings are baptized Roman Catholic.
Kardam is presumably named for Khan Kardam, Ruler of Bulgaria from 777 to 803.He and Princess Miriam have two children, both born in Madrid: HRH Prince Boris of Bulgaria (b. 12 October 1997) and Prince Beltran of Bulgaria (b. 23 March 1999).
I just love this photo with Prince Boris sticking out his tongue and Prince Beltran running off with the garden hose. Too cute!
He received his bachelor's degree in International Economics and Philosophy from Clark University in the USA in 1986. Three years later, he received a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Penn State University. [source]Alas, I have no videos of the princely family. But here is a video of Tsarevets Castle in Veliko Turnovo. Were the monarchy still in place in Bulgaria, Prince Kardam might be living there instead of Madrid. (Needs a bit of restoration though.)
And a tour of Veliko Turnovo with Bulgarian music:
Enjoy!
Update:
I forgot the bonus photo collage.
Ще се видим утре.
--the BB
