On 1st August 1832, Princess Alexandrina Victoria wrote in her journal for the fists time. Although at first it was given to her to record a trip to Wales, journaling soon became a daily hobby that she would continue daily until just nine days before her death in 1901. Each day she would write an estimated two thousand words, totalling around sixty million and filling 122 volumes! Each entry gave an intricate insight into her daily activities, public duties, her family, her household and of course her personal feelings and opinions, along with so much more. Despite wanting to preserve her own history and hoping for her journals to one day be published, Queen Victoria knew her detailed writings could potentially cause scandal for both her family, close friends and parliament. Due to this, she entrusted Princess Beatrice to carefully edit and rewrite them following her death. Unfortunately only thirteen of Victorias original diaries survived, with the other 111 still providing a fascinating insight into the queens life and mind.
Wrote in my Journal, which I am vain enough to think may perhaps some day be reduced to interesting memoirs”.
Queen Victoria’s journal, 24th January 1843
Queen Victoria’s first journal entry, 31st July 1832:
“This book, Mamma gave me, that I might write the journal of my journey to Wales in it.
Victoria.
Kensington Palace.
July 31st.”
©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III
“Wednesday, August 1st.
We left K.P. at 6 minutes past 7 and went through the Lower-field gate to the right. We went on, & turned to the left by the new road to Regent’s Park. The road & scenery is beautiful. 20 minutes to 9. We have just changed horses at Barnet a very pretty little town. 5 minutes past ½ past 9. We have just changed horses at St. Albans. The situation is very pretty & there is a beatiful old abey there. 5 minutes past 10. The country is beautiful here: they have began to cut the corn here; it is so golden & fine that I think they will have a very good harvest, at least here. There are also pretty hills & trees. 20 minutes past ten. We have just passed a most beautiful old house in a fine park with splendid trees. A ¼ to 11. We have just changed horses at Dunstable; there was a fair there; the booths filled with fruit, ribbons, &c. looked very pretty. The town seems old & there is a fine abbey before it. The country is very bleak & chalky. 12 minutes to 12. We have just changed horses at Brickhill. The country is very beautiful about here. 19 minutes to 1. We have just changed horses at Stony Stratford. The country is very pretty. About ½ past 1 o’clock we arrived at Towcester & lunched there. At 14 minutes past two we left it. A ¼ past 3. We have just changed horses at Davantry. The road continues to be very dusty. 1 minute past ½ past 3. We have just passed through Braunston where there is a curious spire. The Oxford canal is close to the town. 1 minute to 4. We have just changed horses at Dunchurch & it is raining. For some time past already and now our road is entirely up an avenue of trees going on and on, it is quite delightful but it still rains. Just now we go at a tremendous rate. 4 minutes to 5. We have just changed horses at Coventry, a large town where there is a very old church (in appearence at least). At ½ past 5 we arrived at Meridon; and we are now going to dress for dinner. ½ past 8. I am undressing to go to bed. Mamma is not well and is lying on the sofa in the next room. I was asleep in a minute in my own little bed which travels always with me.”
http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest
