West Sussex branch was delighted recently to hold a talk via Zoom for its members
Speaker Elizabeth Gowing gave us a great insight into the Balkans at the turn of the 19th century, writes Adrienne Barnett, branch treasurer. Her subject was the King of Montenegro’s youngest daughter, Princess Knesia, who on declaring no interest in arranged marriages, the fate of her older sisters, took to photography.
Very competent behind the lens, her photos of life in the tiny kingdom of Montenegro is a wonderful record of the time. Elizabeth showed us a photo of the approach road to Cetinje, the then capitol, high in the mountains – hairpins and more hairpins for several thousand feet! No wonder they moved it when more than the King had a car. However should you wish to visit, there is an Airbnb in the very grand old Russian embassy.
Elizabeth herself lives and works in Kosovo, so has expert knowledge of the area. Do look for Montenegro on the map, it’s only the size of Devon. The King was known as the father-in-law of Europe, as his many daughters (he had no sons) married royalty all around Europe.
