Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country; I am very young and perhaps in many, though not in all things, inexperienced, but I am sure, that very few have more real good will and more real desire to do what is fit and right than I have.
Breakfasted, during which time good faithful Stockmar[278] came and talked to me. Wrote a letter to dear Uncle Leopold and a few words to dear good Feodore. Received a letter from Lord Melbourne[279] in which he said he would wait upon me at a little before 9. At 9 came Lord Melbourne, whom I saw in my room, and of course quite alone as I shall always do all my Ministers. He kissed my hand and I then acquainted him that it had long been my intention to retain him and the rest of the present Ministry at the head of affairs, and that it could not be in better hands than his. He then again kissed my hand. He then read to me the Declaration which I was to read to the Council, which he wrote himself and which is a very fine one. I then talked with him some little longer time after which he left me. He was in full dress. I like him very much and feel confidence in him. He is a very straightforward, honest, clever and good man. I then wrote a letter to the Queen. At about 11 Lord Melbourne came again to me and spoke to me upon various subjects. At about ½ p. 11 I went downstairs and held a Council in the red saloon. I went in of course quite alone, and remained seated the whole time. My two Uncles, the Dukes of Cumberland[280] and Sussex,[281] and Lord Melbourne conducted me. The declaration, the various forms, the swearing in of the Privy Councillors of which there were a great number present, and the reception of some of the Lords of Council, previous to the Council in an adjacent room (likewise alone) I subjoin here. I was not at all nervous and had the satisfaction of hearing that people were satisfied with what I had done and how I had done it. Receiving after this, Audiences of Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell, Lord Albemarle (Master of the Horse), and the Archbishop of Canterbury, all in my room and alone. Saw Stockmar. Saw Clark, whom I named my Physician. Saw Mary. Wrote to Uncle Ernest. Saw Ernest Hohenlohe who brought me a kind and very feeling letter from the poor Queen. I feel very much for her, and really feel that the poor good King was always so kind personally to me, that I should be ungrateful were I not to recollect it and feel grieved at his death. The poor Queen is wonderfully composed now, I hear. Wrote my journal. Took my dinner upstairs alone. Went downstairs. Saw Stockmar. At about 20 minutes to 9 came Lord Melbourne and remained till near 10. I had a very important and a very comfortable conversation with him. Each time I see him I feel more confidence in him; I find him very kind in his manner too. Saw Stockmar. Went down and said good-night to Mamma &c. My dear Lehzen will always remain with me as my friend but will take no situation about me, and I think she is right.
Wednesday, 21st June.—Got up at 8. At 9 we all breakfasted. At ½ p. 9 I went to St. James’s in state. Mamma and Lady Mary Stopford were in my carriage, and Lord Albemarle, Col. Cavendish, Lady Flora Hastings, and Col. Harcourt in the others.... After the Proclamation Mamma and the ladies repaired to an adjoining room and left me in the Closet. I gave audiences to Lord Melbourne (a long one), the Earl Marshal (Duke of Norfolk), and Garter King at Arms (Sir John Woods), relative to the funeral of my poor Uncle the late King; to Lord Albemarle, Lord Hill, Lord Melbourne (again for some time), and the Lord President (Lord Lansdowne). I then held a Privy Council in the Throne Room. It was not fully attended and was not the third part so full as it had been on the preceding day. The Marquis of Anglesey,[282] the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Spring Rice),[283] Lords Wharncliffe,[284] Ashburton,[285] and Wynford,[286] Sir Hussey Vivian,[287] and some Judges were sworn in as Privy Councillors and kissed hands. After the Council I gave audiences to Lord Melbourne, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all the Bishops except one or two, the Lord Chancellor and all the Judges; Sir Hussey Vivian (Master General of the Ordnance), Lord John Russell, Lord Glenelg,[288] Mr. Poulett Thomson,[289] Lord Howick,[290] Lord Palmerston, and Lord Minto.[291] I then returned home at 1. I must say it was quite like a dream and a sad one, when I was seated in the Closet where but barely 5 weeks ago I beheld for the last time my poor Uncle. At 2 came Stockmar till after 3. Wrote to the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Augusta.[292] Walked. Saw the Duke of Norfolk. Wrote my journal. At 7 we dined. At 10 minutes to 9 came Lord Melbourne and stayed with me till 10. I had an agreeable and important and satisfactory conversation with him. Stayed up till a ¼ p. 10. Lord Hill told me a curious coincidence which is that the 21st of June, the day on which I was proclaimed, is likewise the anniversary of the Battle of Vittoria!
Thursday, 22nd June.—Got up after 8. After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At a ¼ p. 10 I walked out with Mary, Lehzen, Charles and Edward, and came home at 20 minutes to 11. Wrote to the Duchess of Gloucester. Wrote my journal. At 12 came the Judge Advocate General (Mr. Cutlar Ferguson)[293] to submit various sentences of Court Martial to me. He is a very clever intelligent man and explained all the cases very clearly to me. I, of course, saw him alone....
Friday, 23rd June.—Got up at ½ p. 8. After 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. I do not mention the very frequent communications I have with Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell,[294] &c., &c., &c., as also the other official letters I have to write and receive, for want of time and space. Saw good Stockmar, who remained in my room for some time. Saw the Marquis of Conyngham, then Lord Hill, who explained to me finally about the Court Martials, then Sir Henry Wheatley[295] and Col. Wood, who as Executors of the late King, brought me his Will. At ½ p. 12 arrived Lady Catherine[296] who remained in one of my sitting-rooms till now and still remains (4 o’clock) answering letters, &c., &c. Saw the Duke of Argyll (Lord Steward) at ½ p. 2. I wrote a letter to the Marchioness of Tavistock[297] while Stockmar was here, asking her to become one of my Ladies of the Bedchamber. Lay down. Wrote to the Marchioness of Lansdowne,[298] asking her to become my first Lady of the Bedchamber. At ½ p. 5 I drove out with Mary and Lehzen, and came home at ½ p. 6. After 7 we all dined. I had a great deal of business to do after dinner. Saw Stockmar. Received a very kind letter from Lady Lansdowne accepting the situation. After dinner came Princess Sophia. Stayed up till after 10.
Saturday, 24th June.—Got up after 8. At ½ p. 9 we all breakfasted. The children played in the room. Wrote a letter to the Duke of Sussex, and to good Späth. At 11 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till 12. He is a very honest, good and kind-hearted, as well as very clever man. He told me that Lady Tavistock had accepted the situation. And he read to me the answer which I was to give to the address from the House of Lords. He told me that the Duke of Argyll would bring the Address but would not read it; and consequently I was not to read mine. Wrote. At 12 came Lady Catherine Jenkinson and remained in my room till near 3. Saw Stockmar at a little after 12. Saw Sir Frederick Wetherall.[299] Saw Lord John Russell. Wrote.—I really have immensely to do; I receive so many communications from my Ministers but I like it very much....
Sunday, 25th June.—Got up at 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At 10 I went down to prayers with Mamma, Mary, Lehzen, and Charles. The service was read by the Dean who was much affected when he read the prayers in which my name is now mentioned in the place of my poor Uncle, the late King. He preached a very good and appropriate sermon; the text of which was from the 3rd chapter of the Epistle General of St. Peter, 13th and 14th verses.... At a few minutes p. 12 came the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Spring Rice) and stayed some time. He is a very clever and good man.... At about 20 minutes p. 4 came Lord Melbourne till 20 minutes p. 5. He is a good, honest, kind-hearted and clever man, and I like to talk to him....
Monday, 26th June.—Got up at 8. Before 9 we breakfasted. At ½ p. 9 went with Mamma to Windsor. I was attended by Lady Tavistock and Colonel Cavendish,[300] and Mamma by Lady Flora Hastings. We arrived at the Castle, which looked very mournful and melancholy with the flag half mast high, at about a ¼ p. 11. We went instantly to the poor Queen’s apartments.[301] She received me most kindly but was at first much affected. She however soon regained her self-possession and was wonderfully calm and composed. She gave us many painfully interesting details of the illness and last moments of my poor Uncle the late King. He bore his dreadful sufferings with the most exemplary patience and always thanked Heaven when these sufferings were but slightly and momentarily alleviated. He was in the happiest state of mind possible and his death was worthy his high station. He felt so composed and seemed to find so much consolation in Religion. The Queen is really a most estimable and excellent person and she bears the prospect of the great change she must soon go through in leaving Windsor and changing her position in a most admirable, strong and high-minded manner. I do not think her looking ill and the widow’s cap and weeds rather become her. I saw Ernest Hohenlohe, Gustav and Prince Ernest of Hesse P.B. We left Windsor at ½ p. 12. It gave me a very painful feeling to think that the remains of my poor Uncle were in the Castle. Altogether the whole rather upset me. We came at ½ p. 2. I forgot to say that Lord Melbourne told me that the Duchess of Sutherland[302] has accepted the office of Mistress of the Robes, and the Countess of Charlemont[303] of one of my ladies of the Bedchamber. At ½ p. 2 came the Duchess of Sutherland, whom I am delighted to have as my Mistress of the Robes; she was looking so handsome and nice. At about 10 minutes to 4 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till ½ p. 4. I talked with him as usual on Political affairs, about my Household, and various other Confidential affairs....
H.M. Queen Adelaide
from a portrait by Sir W. Ross