Tuesday, 27th June.—Got up at ½ p. 8. At a ¼ to 10 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. Wrote my journal. At about 20 minutes p. 11 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till ½ p. 12. At a little after ½ p. 12 came Lord Palmerston and stayed till a little p. 1. He is a clever and agreeable man. Saw Lord John Russell and Lord Melbourne for a minute. At a few minutes p. 2 I went down into the saloon with Lady Lansdowne; Col. Cavendish, the Vice-Chamberlain (Lord Charles Fitzroy),[304] and the Comptroller of the Household (Mr. Byng)[305] were in waiting. Lord Melbourne then came in and announced that the Addresses from the House of Commons were ready to come in. They were read by Lord John Russell and I read an answer to both. Lord Melbourne stood on my left hand and Lady Lansdowne behind me. Most of the Privy Councillors of the House of Commons were present. After this Lord Palmerston brought in the Earl of Durham,[306] who is just returned from St. Petersburg. I conferred on him the Grand Cross of the Bath. I knighted him with the Sword of State which is so enormously heavy that Lord Melbourne was obliged to hold it for me, and I only inclined it. I then put the ribbon over his shoulder. After this the foreign Ambassadors and Ministers were severally introduced to me by Lord Palmerston. I then went upstairs and gave audiences to the Earl of Mulgrave[307] and to the Earl of Durham. The latter gave a long account of Russia. Did various things. Saw Stockmar. As I did not feel well I did not come down to dinner, but dined upstairs. I went down after dinner. Stayed up till 10. I wore the blue Ribbon and Star of the Garter in the afternoon....
Saturday, 1st July.—Got up after 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. Edward played in the room only, Ernest not being good. Wrote. I repeat what I said before that I have so many communications from the Ministers, and from me to them, and I get so many papers to sign every day, that I have always a very great deal to do; but for want of time and space I do not write these things down. I delight in this work. Saw Lord Melbourne. At about ½ p. 11 or a ¼ to 12 came Mr. Spring Rice. Saw Lord John Russell. Wrote &c. At 2 came Sir Henry Wheatley to kiss hands upon being appointed my Privy Purse. At a little after 2 I saw Stockmar for a minute. At 10 minutes p. 2 came Lord Palmerston and stayed till 6 minutes p. 3. We talked about Russia and Turkey a good deal &c. He is very agreeable, and clear in what he says. Saw Stockmar for some time afterwards. Wrote my journal. I forgot to mention that I received a letter from dearest Aunt Louise in the morning. The children played in my room for a little while. At ½ past 5 I drove out with Mamma and dear Lehzen and came home at 20 minutes to 7. At ½ p. 7 we dined. Stayed up till a ¼ p. 10.
Sunday, 2nd July.—Got up at ½ p. 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At 10 I went to prayers with Mamma, Mary, and dear Lehzen. The service was performed by the Dean who gave us also a very good sermon. The text was from the 6th chapter of St. Matthew, 9th and 10th verses. Wrote, signed, &c. Wrote to dear Feodore. Received a kind long letter from dear Uncle Leopold. At 10 minutes to 2 came Lord Melbourne till a few minutes p. 3. Talked with him about many important things. He is indeed a most truly honest, straightforward and noble-minded man and I esteem myself most fortunate to have such a man at the head of the Government; a man in whom I can safely place confidence. There are not many like him in this world of deceit! Mary and the children came up for a few minutes. At a little before 4 came Stockmar and stayed till a little before 5. He is a most honest, excellent, disinterested and straightforward man, and most exceedingly attached and devoted to me; he has been, and is, of the greatest use to me....
Saturday, 8th July.—Got up at a little after 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. Signed, &c. Sat to Mr. Lane for a few minutes. Wrote to the poor Queen from whom I received a very kind letter last night; &c., &c. Saw good Stockmar for some time. Saw Lord John Russell. At a few minutes p. 12 came my good and honest friend Lord Melbourne and stayed till 20 minutes p. 1. Talked over many important things. Saw Mr. Spring Rice.... I forgot to say that Lord Melbourne wrote me word yesterday evening that Lady Mulgrave[308] I was very desirous to become one of my Ladies of the Bedchamber, and I told Lord Melbourne this morning that I would make her one of my ladies. Wrote to Lady Lyttelton[309] to ask her to become one of my ladies of the Bedchamber (in a year), for she is still in widow’s weeds.... At a ¼ p. 7 I, Mamma, Mary and Lehzen dined, Charles having gone at 5 o’clock to Windsor to attend the funeral of my poor Uncle, the late King. It was very very sad to hear from ½ p. 8 till nearly 10 o’clock, those dreadful minute guns! Alas! my poor Uncle, he now reposes in quiet and peace! As Lord Melbourne said to me, the first morning when I became Queen, that the poor King “had his faults as we all have, but that he possessed many valuable qualities.” I have heard from all sides that he was really very fond of me, and I shall ever retain a grateful sense of his kindness to me and shall never forget him. Life is short and uncertain, and I am determined to employ my time well, so that when I am called away from this world my end may be a peaceful and a happy one!...
Tuesday, 11th July.—Got up at 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. The children played in the room. At a little after 10, sat to Mr. Lane for a few minutes. Saw Col. Cavendish. Wrote, &c., &c. At ½ p. 11. came Stockmar who brought me the unwelcome news of poor Lord Melbourne’s continued indisposition and total incapability of coming to see me to-day, which I regret for two reasons: first because I have many things to ask him, 2ndly because I like very much to talk to him, as he is so quiet in what he says....
Wednesday, 12th July.—Got up at 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. Did various things. At ½ p. 10 came Stockmar and stayed for some time. At ½ p. 11 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till ½ p. 12. He looked and said he was better, but not quite well. Dressed. At a little before 2 I went with Mamma and the Duchess of Sutherland (in my carriage), Charles and Mary and Lady Tavistock and Lord Albemarle (in the next carriage), and Lady Mary Stopford and Colonel Cavendish in another. I was in full dress and wore the Order of the Bath. I went in state with a large escort. I was received at the door by the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Steward, &c., &c., and was by them conducted into the Closet, where some people kissed hands. I then went into the Throne Room, Lord Conyngham handing me in, and a Page of Honour (Master Ellice) bearing my train. I sat on the Throne. Mamma and Mary stood on the steps of the Throne on one side, and the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Tavistock stood near me (behind). I then received the two Addresses (of which, as also of all the other things, I subjoin an account), and read Answers to both. I then returned to the Closet; and went into another room to put on the Mantle of the Bath[310] (of crimson satin lined with white silk); I then saw Lord Melbourne in the Closet for a few minutes. After this I went again into the Throne-room, and seated myself on the Throne. I then conferred the Order of the Bath (not sitting of course) upon Prince Esterhazy. After this I again went into the Closet. Mamma, Mary, Charles and Lady Mary Stopford then went home; it was 3 o’clock. I then took off my Mantle. Received two Deputations from the Sheriffs &c., to ask when I would receive two more Addresses from the City. My two Ladies attended me, but after this they went into another room, where they remained till I went. I then gave an Audience to Lord Lansdowne. After this I held a Privy Council. After the Council I gave audiences to the Earl of Yarborough[311] (who thanked me very much for having appointed his amiable daughter, Lady Charlotte Copley, one of my Bedchamber Women); to Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell, Lord Mulgrave, and Lord Hill. I then left the Palace, the Duchess of Sutherland (who looked lovely, as she always does), and Lady Tavistock, going with me in my carriage, in the same way as I came, and got home at a ¼ to 5....
Thursday, 13th July.—Got up at 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. It was the last time that I slept in this poor old Palace,[312] as I go into Buckingham Palace today. Though I rejoice to go into B.P. for many reasons, it is not without feelings of regret that I shall bid adieu for ever (that is to say for ever as a dwelling), to this my birth-place, where I have been born and bred, and to which I am really attached! I have seen my dear sister married here, I have seen many of my dear relations here, I have had pleasant balls and delicious concerts here, my present rooms upstairs are really very pleasant, comfortable and pretty, and enfin I like this poor Palace. I have held my first Council here too! I have gone through painful and disagreeable scenes here, ’tis true, but still I am fond of the poor old Palace. Lord Melbourne told me yesterday that the Hon. Miss Dillon[313] (to whom I had offered it), has accepted the situation of Maid of Honour. I always saw Lord Melbourne and also Stockmar in my Private Sitting-room (the first of the three), but all the other Ministers &c. &c. I saw in the further room (the farthest of the 3). Did various things. Saw Stockmar for some time. The poor rooms look so sad and deserted, everything being taken away. Wrote my journal. At a little after 2 I went with Mamma and Lady Lansdowne (in my carriage), Lehzen, and Col. Cavendish (in the next) to Buckingham Palace. I am much pleased with my rooms.[314] They are high, pleasant and cheerful. Arranged things. At a little after 4 Lady Lansdowne brought Miss Pitt[315] and Miss Spring Rice[316] (the two Maids of Honour in Waiting, and who lodge here) to kiss hands. Miss Pitt is a very pretty, elegant, nice girl, and Miss Spring Rice is a nice, clever-looking girl. Saw Stockmar. Lady Lansdowne afterwards brought Miss Davys to kiss hands, who is a very nice girl (though not at all pretty). I then walked round the garden (which is large and very pretty) with Mamma. Dear Dashy was quite happy in it....
H.R.H. Princess Victoria
from a portrait by R. J. Lane 1829.