The Search for a New King

Recognizing that the European public would not approve of an empty throne in Bulgaria, Stambouloff sent a group to find a suitable king. They approached several members of royal families but found it difficult to select a candidate who wouldn’t cause jealousy among the great European Powers.

The story goes that the delegation was returning to Bulgaria when they met someone they knew in a beer garden in Vienna. After learning their purpose, the man suggested, “That young officer sitting at the table is the one you need. He is Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, grandson of Louis Philippe of France, and a cousin of every crowned head in Europe. He is a favorite of both the Emperor of Austria and the Emperor of Russia, and he’s also very wealthy.”

At that time, Ferdinand was an officer in the Austrian army, stationed in Vienna. The committee immediately accepted the suggestion, met with the Austrian prime minister the following morning, and contacted Stambouloff in Sofia by telegraph. Within 48 hours, they offered Ferdinand the throne of Bulgaria, even though he was only 23 years old Ephesus Daily Tour.

Ferdinand Becomes King

The selection of Ferdinand was approved by most European powers, except for Russia. Czar Alexander III had no personal objection to Ferdinand, but his policy was to isolate Bulgaria as long as Stambouloff and the Liberal party (who were in power) continued to oppose Russia.

The regents resigned, and Ferdinand became king of Bulgaria. He immediately appointed Stambouloff as prime minister, a position he held continuously until May 1894. During this period, Stambouloff controlled the government’s policy and had significant influence over the king.

For the first few years, Stambouloff and Ferdinand worked well together. Ferdinand followed his minister’s advice and played the role of a loyal supporter. However, as time went on, particularly after his marriage in 1893, Ferdinand began to grow restless. He wanted to gain recognition from Russia, which had ignored him up until then. This desire for recognition likely came from his new wife, who had her own ambitions.

Growing Tension Between Stambouloff and Ferdinand

Stambouloff could have remained in power if he had shown more tact with the young king and respected his wife’s influence. However, Stambouloff did not try to hide that he was the true power behind the throne, and when Ferdinand started to show signs of independence, Stambouloff took control even more tightly.

The Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon, the daughter of the Duke of Parma, whom Ferdinand married in 1893, played a major role in encouraging her husband’s pride and independence. Over time, she gained enough influence over Ferdinand to convince him to resist Stambouloff’s control.

Stambouloff’s relationship with King Ferdinand deteriorated as the king sought more independence, influenced by both his marriage and his desire for recognition from Russia. Stambouloff’s rigid approach and refusal to respect the king’s growing sense of self led to a clash that ultimately resulted in the end of Stambouloff’s long rule over Bulgaria.