Darinka Kvekić

Darinka Petrovic

Darinka Petrovic née Kvekić (Trieste 19 December 1838 - Venice 2 February 1892), was a Princess consort of Montenegro by her marriage to Danilo I, Prince of Montenegro. She was the first Princess consort of Montenegro.

Biography

Darinka was born in a wealthy Serbian merchant family, daughter of Marko Kvekić and wife Jelisaveta Mirković. She married Danilo I on January 12, 1855 at Njegoš. They had one daughter.

The marriage took place after he had made the theocracy Montenegro to a monarchy by renouncing his title as Prince Bishop of Montenegro for the title and position of Sovereign Prince of Montenegro. She was thereby the first in her position as well. Darinka formed the new royal court in Montenegro and thereby she introduced many Western European customs. She could speak Latin, French, Russian and Italian, and encouraged Danilo to learn French and Russian; she is also thought to have had an effect on his policy toward Russia. She initially kept her dominant position at court also after the death of Danilo and during his successor, Nikola, with whom she was close. This meant that her successor Milena Vukotić was not able to consolidate her position until after Princess Darinka eventually left Montenegro.

Issue

• Olga (Cetinje, March 19, 1859 - Venice, September 21, 1896), died childless.

Sources