Queen Victoria’s journal:
“A bad disturbed night & poor dear Albert got up at 6 & went to his dressing room, when he sent for D’ Jenner. He soon returned & lay down, sleeping from ½ p. 6 till past 8, which was a blessed relief. Full of hope & thankfulness. Albert came a little to my room in his dressing gown, but could take no breakfast. My anxiety is great & I feel utterly lost, when he to whom I am want to confide all, is in such a listless state & hardly can smile! — Ernest & Marie went to Town for 2 night. – Walked with the good D’S of Atholl. Frosty & very foggy. — Saw D’ Jenner constantly, as I hoped from hour to hour to find some improvement. Dear Albert consented to take a little orange jelly. Sir J. Clark arrived & was grieved to see no change for the better, but was not discouraged. Albert rested in the bedroom & liked to be read to, but no book seemed to quite suit him. — Walked in the afternoon with Lenchen & Louise, & it was very foggy. — How thankful I am, beloved Mama is spared all this anxiety. — Rather vexed at hearing that I must again hold a Council for the Prohibition of the Exportation of Arms. — Back to dear Albert, whose looks & manner were very disheartening & sad. He can take no nourishment only sip a little raspberry vinegar in Seltzer water. — Alice & I dined alone. After sitting a little while with dearest Albert he went to bed. -“
©️ Royal Collection Trust / HM King Charles III
Letter from Queen Victoria to Leopold I, King of Belgium:
“My dearest Uncle,— I have many excuses to make for not writing yesterday, but I had a good deal to do, as my poor dear Albert’s rheumatism has turned out to be regular influenza, which has pulled and lowered him very much. Since Monday he has been confined to his room. It affects his appetite and sleep, which is very disagreeable, and you know he is always so depressed when anything is the matter with him. However, he is decidedly better to-day, and I hope in two or three days he will be quite himself again. It is extremely vexatious, as he was so particularly well till he caught these colds, which came upon worries of various kinds…. Ever your devoted Niece, Victoria R”
http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest
