Anastasia of Montenegro
Encyclopedia
Princess Anastasia Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro (4 June 1868 in Cetinje
, Montenegro
–25 November 1935 in Cap d'Antibes, France
) was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro
(1841–1921) and his wife, Milena Vukotić
(1847–1923). Through her second marriage, she became Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaievna Romanova of Russia. She and her sister "Militza" (Princess Milica
), having married Russian royal brothers, were known colloquially as the "Montenegrin princesses" during the last days of Imperial Russia, and may have contributed to its downfall by the introduction of Grigori Rasputin
to the Empress Alexandra.
, Montenegro
, on 4 June 1868; she was the third child and third daughter of her parents, and was the third of twelve children born to the royal couple. At birth, her name was Princess Stana Petrovich Njegosh of Montenegro; as of the date of her father's assumption of the title and style of Royal Highness
in 1900, she became known as HRH Princess Stana Petrovich Njegosh of Montenegro. She retained her childhood name of "Stana" to close relations.
Anastasia was educated at the Smolny Institute with her older sister Princess Milica
.
(6th Duke of Leuchtenberg
.) The Duke had previously been married and widowed, with one son, Alexander Georgievich, 7th Duke of Leuchtenberg
, from that prior marriage. The couple had two children, son Sergei Georgievich, 8th Duke von Leuchtenberg (Duke of Leuchtenberg) (1890–1974) and daughter Elena Georgievena, Princess Romanovskaja (1892–1971), before divorcing in St. Petersburg on 15 November 1906.
(1796–1855): the first one through a mixed line, and the second one through a direct male line.
people from the Balkans
, Anastasia reinforced the Pan Slav tendencies of Nicholas. Her sister, Princess Milica
(Cetinje
, Montenegro
, 26 July 1866 – Alexandria
, Egypt
, 5 September 1951) was married to Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich Romanov of Russia
, brother of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaevich. The two Montenegrin princesses were thus also sisters-in-law, as their husbands were brothers.
Anastasia and her sister were intrigued by the more mystical side of the Eastern Orthodox religion; they were early supporters of the French seer "Dr." Philippe Vachot and of the starets Rasputin, and introduced both in turn to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Tsarina of Russia. According to Soviet propaganda the influence of Rasputin was instrumental in the downfall of the Romanov family.
Anastasia's husband, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia (1856–1929), was Commander in Chief of the Russian Army during the first year of World War I, carrying out campaigns on the Austro-German front and in the Caucasus. His Supreme Commandership was terminated by Tsar Nicholas on the advice of Rasputin on 21 August 1915.
family removed from power. Anastasia and her husband lived from 1917-1919 first in the Caucasus
, then in the Crimea
. From Yalta
in the Crimea, Anastasia and her husband escaped Russia and the Bolsheviks in 1919 aboard a British battleship, HMS Marlborough
. They settled briefly in Italy, living with her sister Elena, Queen of Italy
and later in France, spending winters on the Riviera
. She died in Cap d'Antibes on 15 November 1935, having outlived her husband by six years.
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
, Montenegro
Principality of Montenegro
The Principality of Montenegro was a former realm in Southeastern Europe. It existed from 13 March 1852 to 28 August 1910. It was then proclaimed a kingdom by Knjaz Nikola, who then became king....
–25 November 1935 in Cap d'Antibes, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro
Nicholas I of Montenegro
Nikola I Mirkov Petrović-Njegoš was the only king of Montenegro, reigning as king from 1910 to 1918 and as prince from 1860 to 1910. He was also a poet, notably penning "Onamo, 'namo!", a popular song from Montenegro.-Early life:Nikola was born in the village of Njeguši, the ancient home of the...
(1841–1921) and his wife, Milena Vukotić
Milena Vukotic
Milena Vukotic is a former ballerina and a stage, television, and film actress.Vukotic was born in Rome, to a Serbian Montenegrian comediographer father and an Italian pianist/composer mother....
(1847–1923). Through her second marriage, she became Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholaievna Romanova of Russia. She and her sister "Militza" (Princess Milica
Milica of Montenegro
Princess Milica Petrović-Njegoš, also known as Grand Duchess Militza, was a Montenegrin princess. She was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife, Milena Vukotić...
), having married Russian royal brothers, were known colloquially as the "Montenegrin princesses" during the last days of Imperial Russia, and may have contributed to its downfall by the introduction of Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin was a Russian Orthodox Christian and mystic who is perceived as having influenced the latter days of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their only son Alexei...
to the Empress Alexandra.
Childhood
Princess Anastasia was born in CetinjeCetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, on 4 June 1868; she was the third child and third daughter of her parents, and was the third of twelve children born to the royal couple. At birth, her name was Princess Stana Petrovich Njegosh of Montenegro; as of the date of her father's assumption of the title and style of Royal Highness
Royal Highness
Royal Highness is a style ; plural Royal Highnesses...
in 1900, she became known as HRH Princess Stana Petrovich Njegosh of Montenegro. She retained her childhood name of "Stana" to close relations.
Anastasia was educated at the Smolny Institute with her older sister Princess Milica
Milica of Montenegro
Princess Milica Petrović-Njegoš, also known as Grand Duchess Militza, was a Montenegrin princess. She was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife, Milena Vukotić...
.
First marriage
On 28 August n.s., 1889, at the Imperial Russian palace of Peterhof, Stana married HIH Duke George von Leuchtenberg, Fürst von Eichstadt, Prince RomanovskyGeorge Maximilianovich, 6th Duke of Leuchtenberg
George Maximilianovich, 6th Duke of Leuchtenberg, also known as Prince Georgii Romanovsky or Georges de Beauharnais was the youngest son of Maximilian de Beauharnais, 3rd Duke of Leuchtenberg and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia.-Family and early life:George's father Maximilian de...
(6th Duke of Leuchtenberg
Duke of Leuchtenberg
Duke of Leuchtenberg was a title created by Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria and awarded to his son Maximilian Philipp Hieronymus. Little is known about this title until its re-creation by Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria on 14 November 1817 and awarded to his son-in-law Eugène de Beauharnais...
.) The Duke had previously been married and widowed, with one son, Alexander Georgievich, 7th Duke of Leuchtenberg
Alexander Georgievich, 7th Duke of Leuchtenberg
Alexander Georgievich, 7th Duke of Leuchtenberg, also known as Prince Alexander Georgievich Romanovsky or less commonly Alexander de Beauharnais was the only son of George Maximilianovich, 6th Duke of Leuchtenberg by his first wife Duchess Therese of Oldenburg...
, from that prior marriage. The couple had two children, son Sergei Georgievich, 8th Duke von Leuchtenberg (Duke of Leuchtenberg) (1890–1974) and daughter Elena Georgievena, Princess Romanovskaja (1892–1971), before divorcing in St. Petersburg on 15 November 1906.
Second marriage
On 29 April 1907, at the age of 39, Anastasia was married to Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia (1856–1929). The marriage was childless. Both her husbands were grandsons of Emperor Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
(1796–1855): the first one through a mixed line, and the second one through a direct male line.
Imperial Russia
Both Anastasia and her second husband Nicholas were deeply religious Orthodox Christians, with a tendency to mysticism. Since the Montenegrins were a fiercely Slavic, anti-TurkishTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
people from the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
, Anastasia reinforced the Pan Slav tendencies of Nicholas. Her sister, Princess Milica
Milica of Montenegro
Princess Milica Petrović-Njegoš, also known as Grand Duchess Militza, was a Montenegrin princess. She was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife, Milena Vukotić...
(Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
, Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, 26 July 1866 – Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, 5 September 1951) was married to Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich Romanov of Russia
Grand Duke Peter Nicolaievich of Russia
Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia was a member of the Russian Imperial Family.-Early life and marriage:...
, brother of Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaevich. The two Montenegrin princesses were thus also sisters-in-law, as their husbands were brothers.
Anastasia and her sister were intrigued by the more mystical side of the Eastern Orthodox religion; they were early supporters of the French seer "Dr." Philippe Vachot and of the starets Rasputin, and introduced both in turn to the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Tsarina of Russia. According to Soviet propaganda the influence of Rasputin was instrumental in the downfall of the Romanov family.
Anastasia's husband, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia (1856–1929), was Commander in Chief of the Russian Army during the first year of World War I, carrying out campaigns on the Austro-German front and in the Caucasus. His Supreme Commandership was terminated by Tsar Nicholas on the advice of Rasputin on 21 August 1915.
Post Revolution
In March 1917, the last Tsar was overthrown and the ruling RomanovRomanov
The House of Romanov was the second and last imperial dynasty to rule over Russia, reigning from 1613 until the February Revolution abolished the crown in 1917...
family removed from power. Anastasia and her husband lived from 1917-1919 first in the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, then in the Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
. From Yalta
Yalta
Yalta is a city in Crimea, southern Ukraine, on the north coast of the Black Sea.The city is located on the site of an ancient Greek colony, said to have been founded by Greek sailors who were looking for a safe shore on which to land. It is situated on a deep bay facing south towards the Black...
in the Crimea, Anastasia and her husband escaped Russia and the Bolsheviks in 1919 aboard a British battleship, HMS Marlborough
HMS Marlborough (1912)
HMS Marlborough was an Iron Duke-class battleship of the Royal Navy, named in honour of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and launched in 1912. In World War I she served in the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet based at Scapa Flow...
. They settled briefly in Italy, living with her sister Elena, Queen of Italy
Elena of Montenegro
Elena of Montenegro was the daughter of King Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro and his wife, Milena Vukotić...
and later in France, spending winters on the Riviera
French Riviera
The Côte d'Azur, pronounced , often known in English as the French Riviera , is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France, also including the sovereign state of Monaco...
. She died in Cap d'Antibes on 15 November 1935, having outlived her husband by six years.
Titles and styles
- 4 June 1868 – 28 August 1889: Her Royal Highness Princess Anastasia of Montenegro
- 28 August 1889 – 31 August 1901: Her Imperial Highness Princess George Maximilianovich of Leuchtenberg and Eichstadt, Princess Romanovsky
- 31 August 1901 – 15 November 1906: Her Imperial Highness The Duchess of Leuchtenberg
- 129 April 1907 – 25 November 1935: Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia
External links
- The Njegoskij Fund Public Project : Private family archives-based digital documentary fund focused on history and culture of Royal Montenegro.
- Crnogorska princeza Anastasija-Stana