Early life She was born in
Cetinje, at the time the capital of the
Principality of Montenegro. She was raised in the values and unity of the family; the conversation at the table was conducted in French, and politics and poetry were discussed with equal ease; habits and relationships in the
Petrović-Njegoš family did not stifle the spontaneity of characters and personalities. She was tutored by the
Swiss governess from
Hallau, Fräulein Luisa
Neukomm (1845–1932), between the ages of six and twelve, and was thereafter educated at the
Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens in
Saint Petersburg,
Russia, until the age of 18. She was interested in
pastel painting, hunting and fishing. She also attended the Russian Imperial Court and collaborated with the Russian literary magazine
Nedelya by publishing poems. Elena was described as shy and reserved but also rather stubborn. Very attached to traditions, with a sensitive soul and a lively and curious mind, she was endowed with a strong love for nature: her favorite flower was the
cyclamen. She was a tall woman for her time, standing 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches), a notable contrast to her future husband who was 152 cm (5 feet).
Engagement In Italy,
Queen Margherita worried about the marriage of her only son, the future king, and in agreement with
Francesco Crispi, who was of Albanian origin and eager for a greater influence of Italy in the Balkans, they arranged the meeting between the two young people. In April 1895 Elena attended the International Art Exhibition in
Venice (at which she was presented to the king and queen of Italy) and the opera – where she was presented to Prince Victor Emmanuel. After another meeting in Russia, on the occasion of the
coronation of Nicholas II of Russia, Victor Emmanuel formulated the official request to Elena's father, Nicholas I. On 18 August 1896, Elena and Victor Emmanuel became engaged during his visit to Cetinje.
Marriage Being of
Orthodox religion, Elena, for reasons of royal opportunity and to support Queen Margherita, mother of Vittorio Emanuele, left Montenegro. On 21 October 1896, with Vittorio Emanuele, she landed in
Bari, where at the basilica of St. Nicola, before the wedding, she converted to
Catholicism from
Orthodox Christianity, although her father would have preferred the conversion to be proclaimed after the marriage. Her mother was so distressed that Elena had changed her religion, that she refused to come to the wedding ceremony in Rome.
Queen On 29 July 1900, following his father's assassination, Victor Emmanuel ascended the Italian throne. Officially, Elena assumed her husband's whole titles: she became
Queen of Italy, and after Mussolini's occupations of Albania and Ethiopia she assumed the titles of
Queen of Albania and
Empress of Ethiopia. Elena was described as dignified but natural and simple, and kept the simple habits of her youth in Cetinje. She did not enjoy social life and entertainment or the life of public royal representational duties, but preferred to live a simple, quiet family life. She was described as a loving parent, devoted in giving her children a simple upbringing, designed to prevent them from feeling superior to other children because of their birth. To her appearance, Queen Elena was described in 1911: :"No Queen in Europe to-day, save the Tsaritsa and Queen Victoria Eugenie, looks more a Queen than Elena. She is stately and tall, with a statuesque poise that anywhere singles her from the throng. Her hair is as black as midnight forest depths, her eyes as luminous as live coals. Her skin is like unto olives, and her hands firm and strong and large. Her shoulders are broad and she holds them squarely. The impression the woman gives is of unusual physical strength. Nor could this well be otherwise in view of her athletic training." On 28 December 1908
Messina was hit by a disastrous
earthquake. Queen Elena helped with the rescuers. She visited the scene, organized for the wounded to be taken to a Hospital ship and assisted personally to their care as nurse; she also organized a fundraiser for the victims in Rome. 65 years after her death, on 15 December 2017, the remains of Elena were repatriated from Montpellier, to the
sanctuary of Vicoforte, near Turin. The remains of Victor Emmanuel III were transferred two days later from Alexandria, and interred alongside hers. == Beatification process ==