The King Comes of Age


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.


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