Kathmandu and Sofia may not have much in common. They are capitals of two nations that are rarely in the news, Nepal and Bulgaria, two countries on two different continents that have not been major players on the world stage. But June was a month when both nations made the headlines. To be more precise, their monarchs-or rather, their former monarchs-made the news.

The first day of June was a major calamity for the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, the only country where the Hindu religion is the official state faith. This peaceful nation that managed to keep its independence from British-controlled India and the independent Indian Republic that replaced it saw its 250-year-old dynasty suffer a setback that may turn out to be irreparable.

Nepal's royal family is revered by the people. King Birendra paved the way for democracy in 1990, ending his own autocratic rule. He remained as a constitutional monarch similar to Britain's Queen Elizabeth, a unifying symbol for the nation's people. In just one decade the people became disillusioned with the corruption of the politicians, leading the people to feel an even greater attachment to their royal family. Maoist guerillas have taken advantage of some of the grievances and have taken control of six provinces in the small kingdom. The king was seen as vital in discouraging more communist insurgency.

So the events of Friday night, June 1, were particularly devastating for the Nepalese. Nine members of the immediate royal family all suffered violent deaths as they sat down to dinner in the royal palace. Apparently, Crown Prince Dipendra shot his parents, the king and queen, along with other close relatives, before turning the gun on himself. The crown prince was reportedly drunk and very angry at his parents' refusal to allow him to marry the girl he wanted.

Dipendra lay in a coma for three days, reportedly brain dead. A greatly loved prince, he was proclaimed king on the death of his father, a stunned populace refusing to believe the official account of the deaths. When Dipendra died, his unpopular uncle was crowned king. Even the Hindu religious purification rites went wrong when an elephant, intended to represent the deceased monarch, went berserk and refused to go where intended, which was perceived as a bad omen for the future of the monarchy.

In Nepal, monarchical instability can only lead to greater instability in the nation as a whole. Politicians are already seen as corrupt. Corruption is likely to worsen without the restraining influence of King Birendra. This will only benefit the communists trying to gain further territory in the country. This in turn could lead to outside intervention. India would not want a Maoist victory in Nepal, giving China influence in the mountainous kingdom.

India is not averse to interfering in Himalayan kingdoms-Bhutan lost most of its independence to India 20 years ago.

Whatever the eventual outcome, this quiet Himalayan kingdom, a favorite tourist attraction and location of Mt. Everest, would rather not have made the headlines so dramatically.

Former czar returns to power

Corrupt politicians also played a major role in Sofia. Bulgaria's latest attempt at democracy is about as old as Nepal's. The fall of communism in 1989 led to the establishment of an imperfect democracy that seemed to benefit only the politicians. Corruption became a major issue.

Enter Bulgaria's former king, actual title czar (derived from the Roman "Caesar"), Simeon II, who was removed from his throne in 1946 when communists seized control under Stalin's orders. Only 6 years old when his father died in 1943, Simeon's family fled into exile. It was to be a full 50 years before he was allowed a visit home.

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters turned out to welcome him.

The politicians, mostly former communists who only changed colors to stay in power, refused to restore the monarchy, claiming that popular support for a restoration was only at 25 percent. Simeon was also forbidden to run for president on the grounds that he had not been resident in the country long enough, a situation not his own fault. But a loophole in the law enabled him to start a political party, the Simeon II National Movement, fighting on an anticorruption platform. Within a few weeks Simeon led his party to victory in the June 17 general election, with 43 percent of the popular vote. An expected alliance with a small center-right party will enable Simeon's party to dominate parliament and effectively run the country. This would mean that Simeon would be prime minister or could nominate someone for that position in his stead.

If he succeeds in cleaning up the nation's politics, increased support for a restoration of the monarchy is likely. This would, in turn, have repercussions beyond Bulgaria. Neighboring Romania's politics have been just as corrupt since the fall of communism and its former king Michael has expressed a desire to return to his throne.

Michael and other members of his family have visited the country whenever possible and have helped organize outside financial and material support for Romania.

Other Balkan royals wait in the wings

Consider Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic of Yugoslavia, born in London in 1945 while his family was in exile. He has never lived in Yugoslavia but has become a focus of loyalty for monarchists in the country. During the rule of Slobodan Milosevic, many opponents of the regime would visit the exiled crown prince, seeking to work together to restore the monarchy and some form of constitutional order. Now that a more democratic government is in power in Belgrade, support for the restoration of the monarchy is likely to dwindle-but the new administration may be short-lived if corruption cannot be brought under control.

Interestingly, even the heir to the throne of Montenegro has reemerged. This mountainous kingdom that ceased to exist after World War I is now a part of Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia). Unhappy with Milosevic's rule, many Montenegrins looked back nostalgically to the time when their country was an independent kingdom. Separation from Serbia is still a possibility, raising the prospect of yet another Balkan war.

Also in the Balkans, Albania's claimant is a South African businessman, the son of former King Zog who fled the Italian fascists in 1939, promising "I'll be back." He never returned, but his son, Leka Zogu, would like to sit on his father's throne. He claims the referendum on restoring the monarchy was rigged. Official support was only 35 percent, while Leka himself claims twice that figure.

Thrones to be restored?

Will the monarchies of Eastern Europe be restored? Will these claimants to royal thrones ever actually sit on them? The book of Revelation talks of a time prior to Christ's return when "ten kings who have not yet received royal power…receive authority as kings for one hour," a short period (Revelation 17:12, RSV). These 10 kings then go on to "give over their power and authority to the beast" (verse 13) before making "war on the Lamb" (verse 14).

While these 10 kings could symbolically be 10 leaders from any background, they could also be actual monarchs. Certainly, as Europe unites, the royal families of Europe could be instrumental in easing the transitional steps to total unity. One reason for this is that most of the royal families are interrelated. Simeon II is of the House of Saxe-Coburg, the same German royal house that produced Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, often called "the Grand Mama of Europe" as most European royal families were related to her and her German consort. Victoria herself was a descendant of the German House of Hanover.

Another attraction of monarchy as Europe unites is that having a sovereign preserves some degree of sovereignty in a federal Europe. Loss of sovereignty has been a primary concern of many as the European Union (EU) moves toward a more federal system. A satisfactory resolution of the sovereignty issue would likely boost support for the EU. Interestingly, all monarchical claimants support full membership in the EU and NATO for their countries.

A third attraction of monarchy is the primary reason that Simeon II has been elected to power in Bulgaria. It was Britain's Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who said some years ago, at a time when the ruling House of Windsor was under attack for repeated scandals and divorces, that "at least nobody can ever accuse us of corruption."

Monarchs have a position for life. In Europe they are usually succeeded by the eldest son (Asian and Middle Eastern monarchies often operate differently). The exception is Sweden where the eldest child will succeed regardless of gender. Politicians are temporary and are often found to have their hands in the till, trying to accumulate as much wealth as possible before being removed from office. Ecclesiastes 10:16-17 illustrates this startling contrast: "Woe to you, O land, when your king [leader] is a child [without experience of government], and your princes feast in the morning! Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of free men [KJV, nobles], and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!" (RSV).

Disillusionment with politicians serves only to strengthen monarchist sentiments on the part of the people. At the same time, it is clear that the constitutional monarchies of Europe have been the most stable democracies on the continent, generally avoiding political upheaval and dictatorship. A neutral crowned monarch remains above the politicians and limits the possibility of any politician becoming too powerful or even becoming a dictator.

However, in a democratic age, monarchy is perceived by many as an anachronism, a relic from a bygone age that also happens to be expensive. Many remember that World War I was in many ways a family squabble, a war between related monarchs that killed millions of innocent victims.

For monarchy to become popular again, politicians will likely have to become less popular. This could happen gradually, but there is also a way in which it could happen suddenly, almost overnight. This would certainly tie in with the scripture noted above.

What if there were to be an economic collapse in Europe comparable to the Great Depression of the 1930s? Elected politicians would then be blamed and would be extremely unpopular, particularly as they are generally seen even now as corrupt and self-serving. A subsequent breakdown of authority could add to demands for a king, an authority figure who could restore order.

This means that something dramatic would have to take place, not just in one country but throughout many countries in Europe, on a scale similar to the upheavals of 1848 and 1989, two years that saw multiple revolutions on the continent.

Alternatively, a successful administration on the part of Simeon II could have a ripple effect. If he really can succeed in ending corruption and bringing economic progress to his country while preserving democracy, Simeon could help restore his own throne, as well as other thrones in the region.

A recent article published in The British Guardian a few days before Bulgaria's election said that the king's "timing is impeccable" ("Bulgaria's Old King Tipped for Job as PM," by Mark Milner, June 14, 2001). The article quoted Dora Beltcheva, now aged 80, who was formerly a minister under Communist rule. Reflecting on Bulgarian politics since the fall of communism, she said, "We have survived the disappointment of…Socialist rule, the second disappointment of the [right-wing] Union of Democratic Forces. The king has sniffed the wind of change and has chosen the right time to come back." Pessimistically, she predicted, "He will be the third disappointment."

The article continues: "Nasia Atanasova, 31, a political novice who is helping to run Simeon's campaign in the Black Sea resort of Varna, says she became involved because 'we don't have time to make any more mistakes. We don't have any more chances.'" For Bulgaria a great deal may rest on the shoulders of former Czar Simeon II.

Bible prophecy clearly indicates that beyond human design, there is the hope of a monarch who will bring a successful rule to the earth. His administration will not be marred by scandal or events beyond its control. Daniel 2:44 gives us a picture of a kingdom to be established which will never be destroyed. Its king will be Jesus Christ. This world monarchy will last forever, unlike the temporary and sometimes fragile kingdoms of today.

Whereas human history is a story of dynasties and kingdoms rising and falling, this kingdom will give mankind stability and hope once and for all.

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). WNPv