King Nicholas I had ruled the country as Prince since 1860, and had initiated several modernising reforms at the beginning of the 20th century, such as introducing a constitution and a new currency, the Montenegrin perper.
Kuningas Nikola I oli riiki vürstina valitsenud aastast 1860 ja oli 20. sajandi alguses algatanud mitmeid uuenduslikke reforme, nagu põhiseaduse kehtestamine ja uus vääring, Montenegro perper.