History – Princess Ksenija Petrović
Author: Sanja Pejović – MA in international relations and diplomacy
When we talk about Montenegro’s glorious past, the spotlight often falls on Montenegrin heroes, vojvodas, serdars, and governors the male figures who, throughout the centuries of our nation’s existence, have written history with their bravery and valor. However, in the shadow of these great stories and names lies another equally important dimension the story of women, their quiet struggles and contributions, which have often gone unnoticed in many books but have been just as vital for the survival and progress of our society.
A special place in that story belongs to the daughters of King Nikola Petrović princesses who, each in their own way, contributed to the fame and international reputation of the small but proud Kingdom of Montenegro, often even more than its famous male representatives.
Princess Ksenija is one of the figures in Montenegrin history for whom Cetinje, in particular, holds sincere respect and a touching sentiment, and whose patriotism and devotion to the homeland deserve the admiration of generations. Princess Ksenija was born in 1881 in Cetinje as the tenth child and eighth daughter of King Nikola and Queen Milena. Although she came from a royal family, her life was far from the usual courtly routine, and from an early age, Ksenija displayed a strong sense of individuality, independence, and an unusual openness to modern ideas.
At a time when women’s freedom was often confined to ballrooms and protocol, Ksenija pushed boundaries she was educated within the Cetinje court, spoke several languages, kept up with political events, and had a deep interest in science and social movements, which set her apart in an environment that did not expect such an active role from a woman. In political life, too, Ksenija was more than a quiet observer; her father, King Nikola, gave her the nickname “The Great” in recognition of her role as a trusted advisor and closest collaborator.
Considering Ksenija’s wisdom and strength of spirit, it’s no surprise that she went down in history as the first woman to drive a car not only in Montenegro but across the entire Balkans. As early as the beginning of the 20th century, she was driving a Fiat 1100, which led chroniclers to describe her as a woman confidently stepping ahead of her time. She was devoted to the art of photography, and her artistic work was recognized beyond the country’s borders. As a member of the Vienna Photographic Society, she stood shoulder to shoulder with European photographers of that era. She left behind a valuable record of everyday life at the Montenegrin court, strong enough today to be regarded as a cultural treasure. Her camera is still preserved by the King Nikola Museum in Cetinje, resting on the little table in her room where she once created her art. Beyond everything that set her apart her education, artistic talent, political insight, and humanitarian work Princess Ksenija is also remembered for her personal choice never to marry. At a time when the fates of women from royal courts were almost exclusively shaped by political marriages, her decision to remain single attracted attention and surprise from the public, especially considering that her sisters were married into some of the most prestigious European dynasties: Jelena to the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III, Zorka to Serbian King Peter I Karađorđević, Milica and Anastasija to members of the Russian imperial Romanov family, and Ana to Prince Franz Joseph of Battenberg. Although many prominent princes and kings expressed interest in Ksenija including King Alexander Obrenović, Bulgarian Prince Ferdinand, and Greek Princes Nikola, George, and Andrew Ksenija stayed true to herself and refused to sacrifice her fate to political interests, despite the undeniable diplomatic value her marriage would have held. For someone of her character and spiritual strength, this was a conscious and courageous decision to belong to her own people and family, rather than to a foreign court.
What Cetinje remembers most deeply about her is not just her education or artistic talent, but her immense compassion. During World War I, when the Montenegrin royal family went into exile in 1916, Ksenija never abandoned her mission. In Italy and France, she continued her humanitarian work with numerous Montenegrin relief organizations, supporting refugees and serving as a voice of conscience for a nation struggling to survive. After King Nikola’s death in 1921, she remained by her mother Milena’s side, quietly carrying the heavy burden of history until her own passing in Paris in 1960.
Today, the example of Princess Ksenija shows how people use knowledge, personal strength, and power in the service of their people. That is why we remember, celebrate, and honor them through modern symbols as a humble contribution to preserving their legacy. In tribute to Ksenija’s pioneering spirit as the first female driver in the Balkans, more than six decades after her death, Montenegro’s first highway was named after her in 2022 the “Princess Ksenija Highway.” This symbolically connects past and future: a woman ahead of her time and a country striving forward today. Shortly thereafter, in the same year, the capital city of Cetinje supported the initiative to erect a monument to Princess Ksenija a bronze sculpture by the academic painter and sculptor Dimitrije Popović placed in the historic heart of the city she marked with her life.
Besides these lasting tributes, the figure of Princess Ksenija is also brought to life through theater: the play Princess Ksenija of Montenegro, which premiered in 1994 at the Zetski Dom in Cetinje, achieved cult status and became one of the most performed productions in the history of Montenegrin theater, with as many as 159 performances. In February of this year, a new production directed by Radmila Vojvodić premiered, attracting great public attention and interest, further confirming the inexhaustible inspiration that Princess Ksenija continues to offer to new generations.
It has been our honor to be the generation that, on behalf of all our ancestors and descendants, expressed gratitude to Princess Ksenija Petrović Njegoš to be the ones who have given her legacy a permanent place in Montenegro and in Cetinje, her hometown and country, which she longed for during her years in exile. Beyond honoring our past, these gestures also symbolize our responsibility to preserve and nurture the memory of the women who, often invisibly but resolutely, laid the foundations of our nation and wove their courage and determination into the history of Montenegro.
As a woman from Cetinje, and as someone who has chosen the path of knowledge, diplomacy, and public service, I feel proud that she became the symbol of everything we strive for. In this sense, Princess Ksenija remains a lasting inspiration to the women of Cetinje and Montenegro, who believe that dignity and greatness are not inherited by birth but are proven through deeds and the way we serve our people. And Ksenija’s life was exactly that a quiet, dignified work of a great woman who devoted herself to her homeland Montenegro and became one of the symbols of its unyielding spirit.