Petrović-Njegoš dynasty

Ruling dynasty of Montenegro from 1697 to 1916

Petrović-Njegoš

Петровић-Његош

Royal house
Country| Montenegro

* Prince-Bishopric
* Principality
* Kingdom

Founded| 1697; 327 years ago (1697)
Founder| Prince-Bishop Danilo I
Current head| Prince Nicholas
Final ruler| King Nicholas I
Titles|

* King of Montenegro
* Prince of Montenegro
* Prince-Bishop of Montenegro

Style(s)|

* "Majesty"
* "Grace"
* "His Eminence" (clerical)

Estate(s)| Cetinje Royal Palace
Deposition|

* 1918 (1918)

The House of Petrović-Njegoš (Serbian Cyrillic: Петровић-Његош, pl. Petrović-Njegoši / Петровић-Његоши) is the Serbian[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] noble family that ruled Montenegro from 1697 to 1918.

Montenegro was ruled from its inception by vladikas (prince-bishops) since 1516, who had a dual temporal and spiritual role. In 1697, the office was made hereditary in the Petrović-Njegoš family. However, since Orthodox bishops are required to be celibate, the crown passed from uncle to nephew. In 1852, Prince-Bishop Danilo II opted to marry and to secularize Montenegro, becoming Prince Danilo I. His successor, Nikola I, raised Montenegro to a kingdom in 1910. In 1916, King Nikola I was ousted by the invasion and occupation of his country by Austria-Hungary. He was formally deposed by the Podgorica Assembly in 1918 and the country merged with Kingdom of Serbia and shortly thereafter merged again with the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

A period of eighty years of control from Belgrade followed, during which time Nikola I died in exile in France in 1921, followed shortly afterwards by the surprise abdication of his son and heir, Danilo III, the same year. The latter's nephew, Michael Petrović-Njegoš, inherited the titles of his predecessors whilst in exile in France, and he survived arrest and internment by order of Adolf Hitler for refusing to head up a puppet Montenegrin state aligned to the Axis Powers. Later, he served the SFR Yugoslavia as Head of Protocol. He was succeeded by his son Nicholas Petrović-Njegoš in 1986. Nicholas returned to Montenegro to support the Montenegrin independence movement that went on to achieve full sovereignty in the 2006 referendum.

In 2011, Montenegro recognized an official role for the Royal House of Petrović-Njegoš in Montenegro: to promote Montenegrin identity, culture and traditions through cultural, humanitarian and other non-political activities, which has been interpreted as a "creeping restoration" of the monarchy.[8]

The present head of the house is Nicholas, Crown Prince of Montenegro.

## History[edit]

### Origin[edit]

"Bogut" or "Boguta" is believed to be the oldest known ancestor of the Petrović-Njegoš family.[9] Bogut was alive at the time of the Battle of Velbazhd (1330) and the building of Visoki Dečani,[10] and perhaps into the 1340s.[9] According to tradition, and recorded by some historians, the ancestors of the Petrović family settled in Muževice at the end of the 14th century, from the Bosnia region, from the area of Zenica or Travnik.[11] It is possible that Bogut at that time had moved to Drobnjaci with his son, Đurađ.[12] Đurađ or some of his sons were in the entourage of Marko Drago, an affluent Serbian nobleman who had served Serbian lord Vuk Branković (1345-1397), and as such they are believed to have also served the Branković family.[13] Đurađ and his five sons "from Drobnjaci" are mentioned in a document dating March 1, 1399,[12] in which they gave several items to the depository of Dapko Vasilijev, an affluent Kotoran nobleman.[14]

### Modern role[edit]

On the 12 July 2011 the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty.[8][15]

The law "regulates the important issues regarding the status of the descendants of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty, for the historical and moral rehabilitation of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty for whom their dethroning was contrary to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Montenegro, a violent act of annexation in the year 1918." (Article 1).

The law recognises the descendants of King Nikola I in the male line and their wives as the descendants of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty (Article 2), and appoints the eldest male heir, namely Prince Nikola II, as the representative of the dynasty (Article 5). It also affirms the House law of the dynasty by defining the succession to the headship of the dynasty as being passed down through the "male heir of the oldest male heir" (Article 5).

The law protects the use of the heraldic symbols of the dynasty by the representative of the dynasty, Prince Nikola II (Article 6).

Article 8 allows for members of the dynasty to obtain Montenegrin citizenship and also to be dual-nationals of other nations without losing their Montenegrin citizenship. This is of particular relevance today as all of the members of the dynasty also hold French citizenship.

The law also creates the non-political (Article 10) Petrović-Njegoš Foundation (Article 9), an organisation chaired by Prince Nikola II (Article 10), with its aim to "affirm the Montenegrin culture and participation in humanitarian and development activities in the interest of Montenegro and its traditions" (Article 9).

From Montenegro's exchequer, the law allocates 4.3 million euros over a seven-year period to the Petrović-Njegoš Foundation (Article 11). In addition, Prince Nikola II is entitled to a monthly income equivalent to the gross monthly earnings of the President of Montenegro (Article 16).

The Petrovic-Njegoš Foundation has its seat in Montenegro. "The Descendants of the dynasty are given the continuous use of the house of King Nikola I of Montenegro in Njeguši...its gardens...and meadow-land."

"Descendants of the dynasty will have built for them a family home in Cetinje...and be given an apartment in Podgorica" (Article 12).

To carry out their official functions Prince Nikola II has the right to use State objects and resources and "the exclusive right of use of the first storey" of the Petrović Palace (Dvorac Petrovića) in Podgorica, "and when protocol requires, use of the ground floor with priority over other users" (Article 13).

The law allows for Prince Nikola II to act as a representative of the Government of Montenegro and perform other protocolar and non-political functions (Article 7). The first such undertaking was made by the Prince in July 2011 when he represented the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Igor Lukšić, at the requiem of Otto von Habsburg, former Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary.

When performing functions on behalf of the Government, Prince Nikola II and the other members of the dynasty are afforded full State protocol (Article 15).

## List of monarchs[edit]

Picture  | Title
Name  | Birth  | Reign  | Marriage(s)
Issue  | Death  | Claim  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

| Prince-Bishop
Danilo I | 1670
Njeguši, Montenegro | 1697

11 January 1735

* * *

(38 years, 0 days) | — | 11 January 1735
Podmaine Monastery, Venice
(aged 80) | Elected by the Montenegrin Tribal Assembly |
| Prince-Bishop
Sava II | 18 January 1702
Njeguši, Montenegro | 11 January 1735

9 March 1781

* * *

(46 years, 57 days) | — | 9 March 1781
Podmaine Monastery, Venice
(aged 80) | First cousin of Danilo I | Coruled with Basil III from 1750–1766.
| Prince-Bishop
Basil III | 1709
Njeguši, Montenegro | 1750

10 March 1766

* * *

(16 years, 0 days) | — | 10 March 1766
St. Petersburg, Russian Empire
(aged 56–57) | Nephew of Danilo I | Co-ruled with Sava II
Out of power for 3 years, 218 days.
| Prince-Bishop
Petar I | 1748
Njeguši, Montenegro | 13 October 1784

30 October 1830

* * *

(46 years, 17 days) | — | 30 October 1830
Cetinje, Montenegro
(aged 81–82) | Elected by the Sinod.

Grandnephew of Danilo I |
| Prince-Bishop
Petar II | 13 November 1813
Njeguši, Montenegro | 30 October 1830

31 October 1851

* * *

(21 years, 1 day) | — | 31 October 1851
Cetinje, Montenegro
(aged 37) | The Will of Petar I, his uncle. |
| Prince-Bishop;
Prince
Danilo II
Danilo I | 25 May 1826
Njeguši, Montenegro | 31 October 1851

13 August 1860

* * *

(8 years, 287 days) | Darinka Kvekić
12 January 1855
1 daughter | 13 August 1860
Kotor, Austrian Empire
(aged 34) | The Will of Peter II, his uncle. | Assassinated in Kotor.
| Prince;
King
Nicholas I | 7 October 1841
Njeguši, Montenegro | 13 August 1860

26 November 1918

* * *

(58 years, 105 days) | Milena Vukotić
8 November 1860
12 children | 1 March 1921
Cap d'Antibes, French Republic
(aged 79) | Nephew of Danilo I | Exiled in January 1916.
Deposed by the Podgorica Assembly.

## Heads of the House since 1918[edit]

Picture  | Name  | Birth  | Reign  | Marriage(s)
Issue  | Death  | Claim

|
|
|
|
|
|

| Nicholas I | 7 October 1841
Njeguši, Montenegro | 26 November 1918

1 March 1921

* * *

(2 years, 95 days) | Milena Vukotić
8 November 1860
12 children | 1 March 1921
Cap d'Antibes, French Republic
(aged 79) | Deposed king of Montenegro[16]
| Crown Prince Danilo
(Danilo II) | 29 June 1871
Cetinje, Montenegro | 1 March 1921

7 March 1921

* * *

(6 days) | Jutta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
27 July 1899
No children | 24 September 1939
Vienna, Austria, Nazi Germany
(aged 67) | Eldest son of Nicholas I and Milena Vukotić.
| Prince Michael
(Michael I) | 14 September 1908
Podgorica, Montenegro | 7 March 1921

24 March 1986

* * *

(65 years, 17 days) | Geneviève Prigent
27 January 1941 – 11 April 1949
1 son | 24 March 1986
Paris, France
(aged 77) | Nephew of Crown Prince Danilo[16]
| Prince Nicholas
(Nicholas II) | 7 July 1944
Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem, France
(age 79) | 24 March 1986

present

* * *

(38 years, 58 days) | Francine Navarro
27 November 1976 – 6 August 2008
2 children[17][18] |  | Son of Prince Michael and Geneviève Prigent

## Male descendants of Nicholas I[edit]

The list below includes male members of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty. Bold denotes the current head of the House.

* King Nicholas I (1841–1921)
* Crown Prince Danilo (1872–1939)
* Prince Mirko, Grand Duke of Grahovo and Zeta (1879–1918)
* Prince Stephan (1903–1908)
* Prince Stanislaw (1905–1908)
* Prince Michael (1908–1986)
* Prince Nicholas (born 1944)
* Prince Boris (born 1980)
* Prince Paul (1910–1933)
* Prince Emmanuel (1912–1928)
* Prince Peter, Grand Duke of Zahumlie (1889–1932)

## See also[edit]

* The Petrović-Njegoš family tree

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Vladika Danilo". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
2. ^ "Vladika Sava". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
3. ^ "Vladika Vasilije". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
4. ^ "Sveti Petar Cetinjski". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
5. ^ "Vladika Rade - Petar II Petrovic Njegos". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
6. ^ "Knjaz Danilo". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
7. ^ "Kralj Nikola". www.njegos.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
8. ^ a b Zakon o statusu potomaka dinastije Petrović Njegoš
9. ^ a b Etnografski muzej Cetinje 1963, p. 75
10. ^ Reljić 1976, p. 30
11. ^ Miljanić 1989,

> Odakle su preci Petrovića doselili u Muževice i u koje vrijeme nije dovoljno rasvijetljeno. Prema tradiciji, a i zapisima nekih istoričara, doselili su iz Bosne, iz okoline Zenice, ili Travnika i da su u Drobnjake doselili, kako navodi Kovijanić, krajem 14. vijeka.

12. ^ a b Srpsko istorijsko-kulturno društvo "Njegoš" u Americi 1983, p. 73
13. ^ Etnografski muzej Cetinje 1963, p. 70
14. ^ Miljanić 1989,

> Kovijanić je u kotorskom sudsko-notarskim spisima pronašao i prepisao sljedeće: Od Đurđa Bogutovića iz Drobnjaka i njegovih sinova Vukca, Radina, Heraka, Pribila i Ostoje primio je 1. marta 1399. godine Dapko Vasilijev, ugledni i imućni kotorski vlastelin u depozit ove stvari: šest srebrnih pojaseva, zavijenih u šest marama, težine 19 i po funti, dvije tacne sa izvjesnim srebrnim pucadima, težine pet unči, takođe dvije kutije perla sa svitom i sa četiri puceta perla, težine u svemu 10 unči

15. ^ PM Luksic hosts reception in honour of Montenegrin Royal House of Petrovic Njegos
16. ^ a b Almanach de Gotha (154 ed.). Justus Perthes. 1918. p. 65.
17. ^ de Badts de Cugnac, Chantal. Coutant de Saisseval, Guy. Le Petit Gotha. Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery, Paris 2002, pp. 862. French. ISBN 2-9507974-3-1.
18. ^ Almanach de Gotha (2018). Page 1389.

* Etnografski muzej Cetinje (1963). Glasnik: Bulletin. pp. 69–75.
* Srpsko istorijsko-kulturno društvo "Njegoš" u Americi (1983). Glasnik Srpskog istorijsko-kulturnog društva "Njegoš".
* Reljić, Ljubomir (1976). Jovan Erdeljanović: život i delo : Temelji naučne tradicije naše etnologije. p. 30.
* Vojislav Miljanić (1989). "Detalji iz života predaka Petrovića-Njegoša za vrijeme boravka ispod planine Njegoš". Istorijski zapisi br 3-4, 1989.
* Историски записи. 1989.
* Nikola and Milena, King and Queen of the Black Mountain, The Rise and Fall of Montenegro's Royal Family by Marco Houston

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to House of Petrović-Njegoš.

* The Njegoskij Fund Public Project Private family archives-based digital documentary fund, focused on history and culture of Royal Montenegro
* Official website of the Royal House of Montenegro

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