Kechko

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2026-10-21 Diary Coverage: 1874-04-18 to 1876-07-16

Identification (2026-10-21)

Natalija Keško (Natalie Keschko, 1859–1941), daughter of Colonel Petar Keško, a Russian army officer of a Bessarabian boyar family, and Princess Pulcheria Sturdza. On 17 October 1875 (New Style) she married her second cousin Prince Milan Obrenović in Belgrade; Princess of Serbia 1875–1882, Queen 1882–1889 (Wikipedia, "Natalie of Serbia"). The identification rests on Marie's own words: "son futur mariage avec le prince Milan de Serbie" (041.0144), "les noces du prince Milan de Serbie avec Kechko" (048.0051), "Mlle Kechko, princesse de Serbie" (063.0343), and her "gros nez moldave" (063.0343).

1875–1876 references

• 29 August 1875, Paris (040.0143): meets her going to lunch; "La bienheureuse épouse le prince de Serbie."
• 5 September 1875, Paris (041.0144): at church; the coming marriage "lui a donné des airs de reine de théâtre".
• 25 October 1875 (048.0051): the wedding splendours.
• 16 July 1876 (063.0343): Marie's envy of "Mlle Kechko, princesse de Serbie".

See also #Milan_Obrenovic.

Identity

Young woman described as "horribly beautiful" with a "detestable name" who causes Azarevitch to blush.

Diary References

1874

• April 18: Described as "that horribly beautiful girl with such a detestable name." Makes married Azarevitch blush when mentioned.

Context

• Paradoxical beauty - "horribly beautiful"
• Name disliked by Marie
• Causes social awkwardness
• Object of inappropriate attraction
• Part of Nice society
• Russian or Eastern European name

Related Entries

• #Azarevitch - Blushes at her mention

Research Notes

• Beauty as social disruption
• Naming aesthetics and prejudice
• Married men's attractions