KING OF BULGARIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 11

KING OF BULGARIA.

MONARCH! TOURS INCOGNITO.

SEARCH FOR BRIDE SUGGESTED. (Received July 26, 7.40 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SOFIA. July 25. The mysterious departure of King Boris, of Bulgaria, on a tour of Europe incognito, has revived interest in his matrimonial plans. King Boris is expected to visit London during his tour. Opinion in Bulgaria is divided on the question of the most desirable Queen. One section wants a Queen of Royal pedigree, while the other, thinks the.King should aid his country by selecting an American heiress of good family..

About a year ago it was reported that King Boris, who had been on a visit to Italy, had left Milan by train but his future movements were unknown. King Boris, who is 33 years of age, has been described as Europe's loneliest monarch and one of the most persistent wooers in history. Three years ago he was reported to be engaged to marry the lovely 14-year-old Princess Ileana, the third and youngest daughter of King Ferdinand of Rumania. For about 14 years the King has been seeking a bride. The first girl to whom he gave his heart was the Princess Elizabeth of Rumania. She was then a beautiful girl of 18 and one of the. most-soughfc-after princesses of her day. The Crown Prince Boris, as he was then, was just one year the older and was an eager suitor for her hand. But the princess refused to consider" marriage with Boris and in 1921 she married King George 11. of Greece, who is now without a throne. Boris then transferred his attentions to Princess Marie of Rumania. Once again the reported engagement was looked upon as a good move for the future peace of th» Balkans, but the loneliest monarch was again doomed to disappointment, as in 1922 the princess marri.ed King Alexander of Yugoslavia, Then the wooer went to Italy and lost his heart to the beautiful Princess Yolanda, but the reported engagement was again fruitless. The princess loved another and she married a count, not a king. Undaunted, Boris pursued his suit both in England and America. It was announced that he was seeking an American bride and that she must be wealthy, young and beautiful.' She must be intelligent and cultured and take an interest in the country over which she was destined to reign. In spite of this wide-spread advertisement for a wife, however, King Boris still remains lonely.