Friday, 26th May.— ... Wrote a letter to dear Uncle Leopold, to dearest Albert from whom I received a most kind and affectionate letter for my birthday yesterday, and to Ernest Hohenlohe. Finished my brouillon of Aunt’s letter and began to write it. At 2 we went with dear Lehzen and I received two more Addresses, one from Kidderminster presented (not read) by Lord Foley[272]; the other from the Borough of Louth by ——. First of all the Sheriffs of the City came and wished to know when we should be pleased to receive the Address from the Mayor and Corporation of London....
Monday, 29th May.—At ½ p. 1 we went to the Drawing-Room with the Duchess of Northumberland, dear Lehzen, Lady Mary Stopford, Lady Catherine Jenkinson, Lady Flora Hastings, Lady Cust, Sir George Anson, &c. The King and Queen being both unwell, though better, the Drawing-room was held by the Princess Augusta!! It was an immensely full one—2000 people, and we did not get home till a ¼ p. 5. The handsomest people there were: the Duchess of Sutherland, Lady Fanny Cowper, the Marchioness of Abercorn,[273] Lady Seymour,[274] Mrs. Blackwood, &c., &c. Countess Emanuel Zichy (Miss Strachan that was) and who was also at our Concert, was presented. Count Zichy is very good-looking in uniform, but not in plain clothes. Count Waldstein looks remarkably well in his pretty Hungarian uniform....
Tuesday, 30th May.—At ½ p. 2 we went into the saloon with Mary and Princess Sophia, I being attended by the Duchess of Northumberland and dear Lehzen, and Mamma by all her ladies and gentlemen. The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Commons of the City of London presented Mamma 1st with an Address to which she read an answer, and then me with a very kind one. I only answered the following words, from my own accord: “I am very thankful for your kindness and my Mother has expressed all my feelings.” The Addresses were read by the Recorder of London (Mr. Law). There were all together 150 who came up with the Lord Mayor....
Sunday, 4th June.—Read in the Exposition while my hair was doing. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. Wrote a letter to dear Feodore. Drew. At 11 we went to Chapel with dear Lehzen. The whole service was performed by Mr. Jackson. Wrote my journal. Wrote. Drew. At a little after 3 came my good and honest friend, Stockmar,[275] and stayed with me till ½ p. 3. He had a very pleasant and useful conversation with me; he is one of those few people who tell plain honest truth, don’t flatter, give wholesome necessary advice, and strive to do good and smooth all dissensions. He is Uncle Leopold’s greatest and most confidential attached and disinterested friend, and I hope he is the same to me, at least, I feel so towards him; Lehzen being of course the greatest friend I have....
Thursday, 15th June.—After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At 10 Mary, dear Lehzen and I drove out and came home at 10 minutes to 11. Wrote!! The news of the King are so very bad that all my lessons save the Dean’s are put off, including Lablache’s, Mrs. Anderson’s, Guazzaroni’s, &c., &c., and we see nobody. I regret rather my singing-lesson, though it is only for a short period, but duty and proper feeling go before all pleasures.—10 minutes to 1,—I just hear that the Doctors think my poor Uncle the King cannot last more than 48 hours! Poor man! he was always kind to me, and he meant it well I know; I am grateful for it, and shall ever remember his kindness with gratitude. He was odd, very odd and singular, but his intentions were often ill interpreted!—Wrote my journal. At about a ¼ p. 2 came Lord Liverpool and I had a highly important conversation with him—alone....
Friday, 16th June.— ... Began and read to Lehzen out of De Lolme, On the English Constitution. I forgot to mention that Lehzen finished reading to me on the 16th of May the delightful letters of Mme. de Sévigné, and began on the following day Les Mémoires de l’Impératrice Joséphine, par Mdlle. Le Normand, en 2 tomes, which is written in a very affected and flourished style, but is amusing. The news of the poor King were a shade better. At a little after 5 we drove out with Mary and Lehzen and came home at a ¼ to 7. At ½ p. 7 we dined. Saw the children before dinner. Sang un poco. Stayed up till ½ p. 10.
Saturday, 17th June.—Read in the Exposition while my hair was doing. After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At 10 Mary, dear Lehzen, the dear children and I drove out and came home at 11. I like Mary very much; she is a very honest, warm-hearted, good soul, and very susceptible of kindness shown to her; she is extremely discreet and retiring too. The news of the King are worse again today. Wrote my journal &c. Arranged some prints &c. At a little after 2 came Baron Stockmar and stayed till near 3. The news of the poor King were very bad! Drew. At a ¼ to 5 we drove out with Mary, Lehzen and dear little Edward, who was very funny and amusing. We came home at 6....
Sunday, 18th June.—Got up at 8. After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At 10 we went down to prayers with dear Lehzen. The Dean read and preached. The text was from the 2nd Chapter of St. John’s epistle, 5th verse. Drew and painted. Mary came up with Edward and stayed some time. Edward also remained alone with me for a ¼ of an hour. Painted. Saw Stockmar, who brought me a letter from Uncle Leopold!!—Painted. The poor King, they say, can live but a few hours more!—Wrote my journal....
Monday, 19th June.—Got up at a ¼ p. 8. Read in Les Veillées du Château while my hair was doing. After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At a ¼ p. 10 Mary, Lehzen, the children and I drove out and came home at a little after 11. Read in Les Veillées du Château. Wrote my journal. Saw Dr. Clark. Saw Ernest Hohenlohe who brought me the news from Windsor that the poor King was so ill that he could hardly live through the day. He likewise brought me a very kind message from the poor Queen, and also one from the poor old King. After 7 we dined. Saw the children before dinner for a minute. Stayed up till a ¼ p. 10. Read in W. Scott’s life while my hair was undoing.
Tuesday, 20th June.—I was awoke at 6 o’clock by Mamma, who told me that the Archbishop of Canterbury[276] and Lord Conyngham[277] were here, and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing-gown), and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham (the Lord Chamberlain) then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes p. 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen. Lord Conyngham knelt down and kissed my hand, at the same time delivering to me the official announcement of the poor King’s demise. The Archbishop then told me that the Queen was desirous that he should come and tell me the details of the last moments of my poor, good Uncle; he said that he had directed his mind to religion, and had died in a perfectly happy, quiet state of mind, and was quite prepared for his death. He added that the King’s sufferings at the last were not very great but that there was a good deal of uneasiness. Lord Conyngham, whom I charged to express my feelings of condolence and sorrow to the poor Queen, returned directly to Windsor. I then went to my room and dressed.