Royal Family of Montenegro

[Fürstin Taxis]

Princess Brigita reminds me of the late Soraya of Persia.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Cory

The Royal Families of Serbia and Montengro do not seem very close.

The photographs in the link you posted yesterday appear at odds with this statement.

[American Dane]

Originally Posted by CSENYC

Of countries that could become monarchies again- didn't Montenegro just give some official status to its royal family?

Yes they did, from the Wikipedia article on Crown Prince Nicholas II of Montenegro:

"On the 12 July 2011 the Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on the Status of the Descendants of the Petrović Njegoš Dynasty. [2][3]
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 currently 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 Petrović-Njegoš 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)." "
.

[principessa]

Does anyone known if the website of the MRF has going offline or was moved to an other adress?

[Benjamin]

The Petrovic-Njegos Foundation will begin its work in February and will be based out of the first floor of Petrovic Castle in Podgorica.

In the meantime, Prince Nikola has been visiting various municipalities around the country in order to gain insight into the situation of the Montenegrin people.

Source: Vijesti

[Cory]

HRH Prince Nicholas visiting the city of Niksic:

Noblesse & Royautés » Nicolas de Monténégro en visite à Niksic

[Ruhije]

Following the many views and questions re Montenegro and the Monarchies future role and status, i thought the comparisons with King Michael in Romania valid and interesting.
The situation in Albania with the Royal Zogu family is similar and their role and status somewhere between that in Montenegro and Romania.
King Leka I, who died in Dec 2011, had property restored to him and his son, and the immediate family honoured with official acknowledgment and issued with diplomatic passports and status.
HRH Prince Leka II Zogu has now worked for sometime as an advisor and diplomat in the Albanian Government for several departments.
The Government gave the Zogu family a former palace/villa in Tirana, which is accepted as The Royal Court of Albania. Also King Leka's funeral was an official televised event and a national day of state mourning.
It is just as likely that the status of The Montenegro Royal family could remain the same as it is now, in an honoury but official status. Although i agree with those others too who suggest the equal state salary of Crown Prince (non-reigning) and President seems an unusual situation indefinately.
Whether the Monarchy is really fully restored as a Kingdom is very interesting and hopeful, but even the present situation and status of the Royal family in Montenegro now is still fantastic and historic.

[Cory]

Nobody ever spoken about a poll showing the opinion in Montenegro about the restoration of Monarchy.

[Domhangairt]

The new law passed by Montenegro doesnot represent any monarchy restoration whatsoever. It merely addresses issues surrounding the restoration of property, and gives some kind of honory role to Prince Nicola- this is not restoration at all. A restoration can only come about with a national referendum and the establishment of a new constitution replacing the president with a king, giving the king a constitutional role within the state. This has not happened in Montenegro or any of the other Balkan states- the politicians all have vested interests in maintain the republican status quo, regardless of what the general population would prefer.

[Benedict XVI]

Is it possible for the people of Montenegro to sign a petition that would give them the chance to have a referendum? If not is there any possible way for the people to formally request one? And if you would not mind could u tell me what percentage of the people want a restoration?

Thank you

[Benjamin]

Through the Petrovic-Njegos Foundation, which commenced operation last month, Prince Nikola has begun to undertake benevolent projects within Montenegro.

The Foundation donated 4.000 euro to the municipality of Plav after the town was devastated by heavy snowfall in February. Prince Nikola stated: "For me, it was important that the first actions [of the Foundation] are those that will show solidarity with people who are in difficult situations, because Montenegro itself has a lot of problems brought on by the economic crisis, which were contributed to by the snow storm in the north, which created a lot of difficulties for people." The funds are to be distributed between 100 families.

Pomo

In partnership with Kodra Hospital, from June to October 2013 the Foundation will provide for ten reconstructive surgeries for women who have suffered from breast cancer. Priority will be given to young, low-income patients. Prince Nikola has said that "this gesture is just the beginning of cooperation."

Besplatan rekonstruktivni zahvat pacijentkinjama oboljelim od raka dojke - Vijesti online

[RoyalistRiley]

The Montenegro Royal Family seem to me to be very active for a house that had only a brief reign almost a century ago. Are they popular among the people?

[Cory]

Does Crown Prince Boris live in the country with his wife and daughter?

[Warren]

Originally Posted by RoyalistRiley

The Montenegro Royal Family seem to me to be very active for a house that had only a brief reign almost a century ago.

Not that brief. Members of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty ruled as Metropolitans (or Vladikas, Prince-Bishops) from 1696, as Princes from 1852 and as Kings from 1910 to 1918 when Montenegro was merged into Serbia. That's over 220 years of continuous dynastic rule.

[RoyalistRiley]

Originally Posted by Warren

Not that brief. Members of the Petrović-Njegoš dynasty ruled as Metropolitans (or Vladikas, Prince-Bishops) from 1696, as Princes from 1852 and as Kings from 1910 to 1918 when Montenegro was merged into Serbia. That's over 220 years of continuous dynastic rule.

My apologies, I was only aware of the Kingdom of Montenegro from 1910-18.

[Cory]

The Members of the Royal Families received the citizenship of Montenegro:

Noblesse & Royautés » Nicolas de Monténégro reçoit la nationalité monténégrine

[Cory]

HRH Prince Nicholas visited Albania and met the Albanian prime minister Berisha:

Noblesse & Royautés » Le prince Nicolas de Monténégro en visite en Albanie

[DWC]

HRH Hereditary Prince Boris has been appointed Grand Chancellor of the dynastic orders as he will now be "taking a greater role in the duties of the Royal House"

Sin Nikole Petrovi

[Benjamin]

Prince Nikola may become a member of the Senate of Montenegro:
Princ Nikola postaje

[Cory]

HRH Prince Nikola helped "Le Figaro Magazine" to discover Montenegro:

Noblesse & Royautés » Nicolas de Monténégro vante les attraits touristiques de son pays

Le Figaro - Voyages : Balade princire au Montngro