Peter II of Bulgaria

Peter II of Bulgaria was the last reigning monarch of Bulgaria, who ruled from 1939 to 1943. Born in 1921, he became king at just 16 after his father’s abdication. His reign was marked by World War II, during which Bulgaria initially allied with Nazi Germany but later sought to distance itself from the Axis powers. In 1943, Peter was forced to abdicate following a coup. After the war, he lived in exile for decades, returning to Bulgaria in the 1990s. His life reflects the tumultuous changes in Bulgaria during the 20th century and the challenges faced by monarchies in modern Europe.