Darinka, Princess of Montenegro

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Darinka Petrović-Njegoš (1838–1892) was the first Princess of Montenegro, by marriage to Danilo I. Born Darinka Kvekić in Trieste to Marko Kvekić and Jelisaveta Mirković, she grew up in a fashionable, European-influenced world. She met Danilo at a dinner in Trieste and married him on 12 January 1855 at Njeguši, after he became Sovereign Prince of Montenegro. They had one daughter, Olga.

Darinka helped bring Western customs to Montenegro. She spoke several languages, dressed in French fashion, and hosted court events with Western music and dancing. She is said to have introduced the umbrella and to have given the court a cosmopolitan polish. Some people admired her glamour, while others accused her of extravagance and trying to influence state matters. Danilo valued her advice but was known for jealousy, and there were rumors of romantic scandals.

On 13 August 1860, Danilo was murdered, and Nicholas I became ruler. Darinka remained influential for a time, but faced growing opposition, especially from Milena Vukotić, Nicholas’s wife. She built a palace in Cetinje (1863–1867) and traveled to Western Europe; Nicholas helped pay her expenses, which caused resentment. Public opposition from Montenegro eventually forced her to leave.

In 1867 she left Montenegro with her daughter Olga and lived in Venice for the rest of her life. She never returned to Montenegro. Darinka died in Venice on 2 February 1892 and was buried at Cetinje Monastery.