On attaining his majority on 16th June 1955, the young King issued a proclamation to his people of lasting significance.
His Majesty reading the proclamation
"BULGARIANS.
"Today, 16th of June, I achieve my 18th anniversary and in accordance
with the CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF BULGARIA, I come of age.
"I proclaim this event to my beloved people in virtue of the 31st article
of the CONSTITUTION, and call on their Destiny the Divine Clemency and
the Almighty Protection.
"MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN,
"Ten years have gone by since the day our Country started suffering
the yoke of an anti national regime, imposed by the will, and with the
help of, a foreign conqueror.
"FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND ALL HUMAN FEELINGS have ceased to exist in our
beautiful country.
"During the stormy years of our contemporary history the Bulgarian
people managed to build their State on a true democratic basis and to assure
their freedom and rights through the CONSTITUTION OF TIRNOVO. Notwithstanding
the numerous attacks directed against her independence, Bulgaria reached
the rank of a prosperous and independent Nation, appreciated by all, and
advancing towards a happy future.
"The present regime dared not lay hands on the CONSTITUTION OF TIRNOVO
when they acquired power; they even solemnly promised to respect and apply
it strictly. Nevertheless, some time later, obeying orders from abroad,
and with the support of foreign armed forces, a new Constitution, contrary
to our habits and traditions, was imposed upon us.
"In spite of this, the CONSTITUTION OF TIRNOVO is still alive; it remains
the ideal, deeply rooted in the heart of every Bulgarian. It was never
legally abrogated; every Constitution can only be modified or abrogated
according to the procedure authorized by its own contents. The CONSTITUTION
is therefore still in force today, as it expresses the eternal and unshaken
will of the Bulgarian people towards the rights and freedom which they
hold sacred.
"DEAR COUNTRYMEN,
"The execution of my Uncle, Prince Kyril, and of innumerable other
innocent people, the sacrilegious mockeries against the memory of my late
Father, King Boris III, loved and venerated by all, the calumnies against
the Bulgarian Dynasty, still oppress me as the most somber memories of
my childhood, full as it was of sorrow and bitterness.
"I know that the Bulgarian people had nothing to do with these actions.
I am also aware that the plebiscite of the 8th September 1946 was
only a farce of a popular vote.
"On leaving our Country, I never renounced my rights to the Throne,
and in accordance with the CONSTITUTION OF TIRNOVO, I am still invested
with the mission assigned to my by Providence.
"This Mission consists today, in pursuing without rest, the return
of the prosperity to all Bulgarians, and the liberation of our Country.
"Deprived, on this day of my coming of age, of the possibility of taking
my sacred oath before the Great National Assembly, I solemnly promise to
observe loyally the CONSTITUTION, and to do everything in my power to ensure
the victory of the free institutions won at the price of so many cruel
struggles and sacrifices.
"On making this sacred pledge with our beloved and unhappy Country
deep in my mind, I call upon all patriotic days done by, and their present
social conditions, to forget their hatreds and rivalries, and to
join in common effort for the salvation of Bulgaria. At the present
moment the union of all its children is more essential than ever.
"In my capacity of First Citizen of our Nation and in the name of the
Institution I represent, I solemnly declare that I consider all Bulgarians
equal and that I am ready to support every initiative which is permitted
by the CONSTITUTION OF TIRNOVO, for the liberation and well-being of Bulgaria.
"May God be with us!
"Long live free and independent Bulgaria!"
SIMEON II
KING OF THE BULGARIANS
Proclaimed in exile, in Madrid,
on 16th June 1955.